THREE FOR MARLE; VAN DESSEL’S HAT TRICK SPURS VCU, 3-1
9-14-08
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Marle van Dessel (Oisterwijk, The Netherlands) continued her prolific sophomore campaign, scoring three first half goals to lift Virginia Commonwealth University past Penn Sunday at Cary Street Field.

It’s the first career hat trick for van Dessel, who became the first Ram to accomplish the feat since Carlot Verloop booked four goals against Longwood Sept. 12, 2004.

The victory improves VCU to 4-2 on the year, the school’s best six-game mark since 2004.

All three goals came over a four-minute span midway through the opening period. On the first, van Dessel hammered a ball into the left hand corner from 12 yards out at the 14:26 mark. Then, late in the 17th minute, Marle chipped a high shot off a direct hit from her twin sister, Flore (pictured) up and over the Penn goal keeper for a 2-0 advantage. Marle van Dessel’s third score came at 18:11 off a penalty corner.

Flore van Dessel had two assists on the day and has a team-high six on the season. Marle van Dessel leads the Black and Gold with six goals this year.

Senior Laura Baker (Kent, England) had a seven saves in goal for the Rams.

Margaretha Ehret logged Penn’s goal off a corner at the 20:40 mark.

VCU heads down I-64 for its next match, when it travels to face in-state rival and eighth-ranked Virginia at 6 p.m.