Hopping to 2-0: Robertson's hat trick seals Somerset win over Corbin

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Tori Robertson (10) attempts to shoot around the close defense of a Corbin defender during the Lady Jumpers' 4-3 win over the Lady Redhounds on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.

SOMERSET - After an impressive 7-0 victory over the defending 13th Region champions South Laurel in London earlier in the week, the Somerset Lady Jumpers had their first appearance at Clara Morrow in their 2024 campaign and the first home game under new head coach Ben Robertson. Another opponent from the 13th Region was awaiting them, this time the Corbin Lady Redhounds, a team that, despite a not-so-stellar record last season, was returning a large majority of their starters from last year. With two of the Jumpers' starters out due to illness, this truly felt like a trap game for Somerset, who came into the year as a favorite in the 12th Region.

Early on, the Redhounds well "hounded" their opponents, trading goals back and forth before the Jumpers got out to a two-goal lead at the break. A defensive battle ensued in the second half, with Corbin even getting within one goal before Somerset was able to hold strong and survive with a 4-3 victory over their opponents.

Somerset senior, and reigning CJ Player of the Year, Tori Robertson wasted little time ripping through the teeth of the Corbin defense, as she took the ball on a breakaway attempt in the second minute of the game and connected with a shot into the left side of the goal after stealing the ball, giving her team the very quick 1-0 advantage. Corbin, after some mistakes on offense to begin the game, finally found their rhythm and their midfielders and attackers were finally able to bring the ball to the right side of the field. They equalized the game in the fifth minute as well, as sophomore Revelation Sell managed to get an open look from the right side of the box to tie up the game at 1-1.

Robertson kept trying to find her second goal in the minutes that followed, as attempts in the sixth, 10th and 11th minute were either wide or deflected away by freshman goalkeeper Peyton Canada. Eventually a shot had to connect for the senior and that is just what happened in the 12th minute, as a shot from Robertson near the top of the box deflected off the goalkeeper's legs and rolled slowly into the back of the net, putting Somerset on top once more 2-1.

Senior Isabella McKenzie found her first shot attempt in the 17th minute, although it went just wide of the goal. Corbin once again found an equalizer in the 22nd minute, as there was confusion at the Somerset goal. An errant pass was stolen by sophomore Brylie McKee and she found a chance at a wide open net and didn't miss the mark, tying things up at 2-2. Another shot from McKenzie was saved in the 27th minute before she too got into the scoring column courtesy of a goal in the 28th minute after a smartly played corner kick by the Jumpers, giving them a 3-2 edge.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Isabella McKenzie (7) reacts after narrowly missing a potential goal during the Jumpers' win over Corbin on Thursday evening.

Robertson had a chance to give Somerset a bit of breathing room a minute after on a free kick, but her shot went just wide of the net. She didn't miss, however, just three minutes later, as a bending shot curled into the top right side of the net, giving herself a second hat trick in as many games and giving her team a 4-2 lead heading into the locker room.

Quality defense was played in the first few minutes of the second half, until Robertson got the first clear look at the goal in the 48th minute with a header that went wide. Somerset senior goalkeeper Aijah Carrender, once again splitting time in net with freshman Caitlyn Sears, had several great saves in the second frame, including a diving deflection in the 52nd minute.

Robertson once again had a close attempt in the 58th minute, but it too was blocked by the Corbin goalkeeper. Corbin was able to pull within one goal in the 69th minute, as senior Emely Colchado was able to connect from about 10 yards out into the top left side of the net to make the score 4-3. Robertson about put the game away in the same minute, getting another breakaway attempt before her shot sailed just wide of the goal. It was a game of keep-away at this point in the last 10 minutes, with the Jumpers desperately trying to avoid the tie. The Lady Redhounds had one last look at the tie in the closing seconds, but the shot sailed wide as Somerset held on for a quality 4-3 win. Not a bad job for new head coach Ben Robertson, as he starts out 2-0. He was visibly excited following the conclusion of the game.

"Anytime you play Corbin, it is going to be a challenge. Lost a few starters over the course of the week, and we had to shuffle some things around today, but we had players step up where we needed them to. We're testing our players and see how they respond. It has been a good week, and I'll take a shutout win over South Laurel and a 4-3 ugly win over Corbin anytime," he explained.

Somerset will next be on the road on Saturday, as they will take on a district opponent in Casey County, with first kick scheduled for 11 a.m.

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