IZZY ICE: Somerset takes down Pulaski thanks to Mckenzie's hat trick

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Isabella McKenzie (7) prepares to take a shot past Pulaski County junior Alyssa Salyer during the Jumpers' 4-1 victory over the Maroons on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.

SOMERSET- It's been a while since the Lady Maroons have taken down the Lady Jumpers of Somerset in what has been a seven-game winning streak dating back to 2020. Pulaski was hoping home field advantage would snap that streak, but for currently undefeated Somerset, fresh off a shutout victory over Rockcastle, they had other plans.

Those other plans, despite an attempt to play through an injury by Tori Robertson, were seemingly in jeopardy with the Maroons trailing just 2-1 early in the second half. However, thanks to a hat trick effort from fellow senior star Isabella McKenzie, the Jumpers were able to pull away in the second half with a 4-1 victory over their rivals.

Robertson, despite being held back due to an injury, had the game's first shot attempt in the second minute of the contest, although that was saved by Pulaski sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Phillippi. Pulaski had their first clean look at a shot in the seventh minute, as junior Alyssa Salyer was able to make solid contact on her kick despite the shot sailing wide of the goal. Robertson was then able to find the ball and proceeded to dribble around several defenders in a breakaway attempt from end to end, eventually finding the space to connect with the left side of the net for the first goal of the game, giving the Jumpers the early 1-0 edge.

Robertson and McKenzie both had shot attempts in the next few minutes that were saved by Phillippi as the sophomore was truly earning her keep this game. An attempt by freshman Maliyah Childrey in the 11th minute was barely able to be stopped by the Pulaski defense. Addisyn Dopp and McKenzie traded shot attempts for a few possessions until Somerset's senior finally connected with one, as she was able to get past the goalkeeper and hit a light shot that dribbled into the left side of the goal to give Somerset a 2-0 lead in the contest. Sophomore striker Madisyn Spurlock had a nice attempt in the 20th minute that sailed over the top of the goal as chances were becoming far and in between for both teams in the final 20 minutes of the half. Somerset took that same 2-0 lead into the break, but the game was far from over.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County senior Simi McAlpin (right) battles for possession of the ball with Somerset sophomore Khloe Roberts (2) during the Maroons' loss to the Jumpers on Monday.

In the 47th minute, the home crowd at Northern Middle School finally had something to celebrate, as Dopp was awarded a free kick right next to the goal due to a hand ball penalty. She converted with ease, as the shot rocketed into the left side to trim the Somerset lead down to just one goal at 2-1...

Or so the crowd thought, as Somerset was able to get the ball right back into an attacking position within the same minute. Following some confusion for both teams at the net, Mckenzie was able to get a rebound of a shot and proceeded to shoot the ball into a now wide open net for the easy goal, restoring the two-goal margin and putting her team ahead 3-1.

Somerset senior Tori Robertson (10) gets tangled up with a Pulaski County defender during the game between the Lady Jumpers and the Lady Maroons on Monday.

Over the next several minutes, Robertson would have several quality looks at the goal, but they were all missed as it was clear that despite the brightness of her star, the injury was absolutely hampering the senior. Pulaski almost got within one goal again in the 59th minute, as a shot from junior Chloe Stogsdil was tipped out of the goal by the Somerset goalkeeper.

Try as they may, Somerset could not comfortably put away the game despite multiple attempts from McKenzie and Robertson. However, that changed in the 77th minute, as a beautiful through ball found a striding McKenzie for a clear shot at the net. The senior shot it past a diving Phillippi and connected with the left side of the net, completing her hat trick and putting Somerset on top 4-1. That was the final margin of victory as well, as three minutes later the score went final, extending the Jumpers' winning streak over the Maroons to eight games.

Somerset remains undefeated on the season with a record of 6-0 and will next host another undefeated team in the Green County Dragons on Thursday at 7 p.m. Pulaski County falls to 3-2-2 and will next host Russell County on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.