By Ted Waddell
GRAHAMSVILLE — September 5, 2003 – In Wednesday’s opening round of the Tri-Valley girls’ soccer tournament, the Lady Hambletonians of Chester defeated the Monticello Lady Panthers, 5-1.
Chester’s Katrina Cook recorded the hat trick and Tonya Hipsman scored two goals as the Lady Hambletonians began their season with a win.
Cook scored the only goal of the first half on an assist from Amanda Benitez.
In the second half, Chester (1-0) made it a 2-0 contest on a goal by Cook off an assist from Hipsman.
Monticello (0-1) later closed the gap to 2-1 when senior striker Christa Billias outfoxed the Chester goalie. Billias’ goal was unassisted.
However, the Lady Hambletonians racked up three goals in a row to close out the scoring under the mist-laden skies.
Cook scored her third goal of the match on an assist by Amanda McCarthy.
Hipsman tallied the final two Chester goals. The first came on an assist from Casie Laden and Hipsman later fired the ball into the net on an assist by Cook.
Monticello goalie Erica Kalber recorded 16 saves. Two Chester goalies, Benitez and McCarthy, combined for 13 saves.
With the win, Chester advances to the tournament’s championship match, which is scheduled to he held at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
Weather permitting, Eldred was slated to face host Tri-Valley yesterday afternoon in the tournament’s other opening round match. The winner of that contest will meet Chester in the title game, while the losing team will face Monticello in tomorrow’s 11 a.m. consolation match.