ADA, Okla. — Sophomore
Bella Holland's first career hat trick guided Rogers State Women's Soccer (2-1-2) to a 3-1 victory over East Central (0-6-0) 3-1 on Saturday in the non-conference finale at Tiger Field. Holland's three-goal performance is the first hat trick since Alix Tirado-Negrete notched one at Newman in 2024.
Holland put the Hillcats in front in the second minute with her third goal of the season to give RSU a 1-0 lead. The Hillcats continued to generate chances, with
Taylor Colmo hitting the woodwork at 5:45 before the Cats earned multiple corners and added attempts from
Khari Carreno and
Conley Knapp during a sustained stretch of pressure. The Tigers answered in the 30th minute when Addisyn Brown scored off a Jalynne Campbell assist to tie the match, but RSU kept creating set-piece opportunities with two more corners shortly afterward and a saved shot from
Cynthia Solis in the 35th minute.
Calais Butts made a save on Sofia Flores in the 37th minute, and the half closed with the teams even at 1-1.
Holland (5) scored twice in the second half, converting a penalty kick in the 68th minute to give the Hillcats a 2-1 lead before finishing a Colmo assist in the 83rd minute to extend the advantage to 3-1. Earlier, RSU created pressure while the match was still tied, with
Katie Fisher putting a shot on frame in the 50th minute, Holland hitting the right woodwork in the 63rd and the visitors earning two corner kicks in a one-minute span. After Holland's penalty, the Tigers answered with two corner kicks and two shots between the 69th and 75th minutes, but Butts saved Emily Cavazos' attempt and the Hillcats kept the lead. Butts added two more saves in the final two minutes as the Tigers pushed late, helping RSU close out the half and finish a 3-1 win.
Holland recorded three goals, including the game-winning goal, and led the Hillcats with five shots, four on goal. Colmo added an assist and one shot. Butts (2-1-1) made four saves in 90 minutes while allowing one goal. Additionally,
Kelsey Hogan played the full 90 minutes, while
Conley Knapp contributed 86 minutes on the pitch.
The Hillcats will open MIAA play at Soldier Field against Fort Hays State next Friday at 7 p.m.
