Olson’s hat trick highlights UND’s 6-0 win over Jamestown
On a pristine-looking Bronson Field and sunshine soaked Saturday afternoon, the University of North Dakota soccer program christened 11 new Fighting Hawks and accounted for six goals in an exhibition versus Jamestown.
The Hawks and Jimmies played three, 30-minute periods to play a full 90. North Dakota scored in each period and accounted for four goals in the second period, led by Hannah Olson’s hat trick. The junior forward struck in the 34th, 36th, and 45th minutes of play, scoring each goal on the run of play with help from Mara Yapello on the first and freshman Alisha Maake on her third.
Bailey McNitt struck first blood in the 18th minute inside the 18-yard box on a feed from winger Lexi Miller. Thanks to McNitt’s tone-setting goal in the first, UND accounted for 10 shots in the second period, placing seven on frame. Cassie Giddings closed the scoring in the second with her tally 48 minutes into play, shooting at the far post from outside the 18-yard box.
North Dakota also created on set pieces as Olivia Valdivia took consecutive corner kicks in the 77th and 78th minutes. However, she hit paydirt on her final corner, sending an inswinger to Alex Lee, who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Alex Nowka to close the scoring. Nowka stopped eight Fighting Hawk shots in the match.
The exhibition will be the Fighting Hawks lone preseason test before starting the regular season on Sunday, Aug. 22, against former Big Sky Conference foe Idaho. The season-opening kickoff will be at noon Central time.


