BOX SCORE
BLUFFTON, Ohio -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology senior Hayley Gilliam scored a first half hat trick to help the Fightin' Engineers top Bluffton University 5-0 in the women's soccer season finale on Saturday at Bluffton.
The Fightin' Engineers completed the season at 9-9 overall and 5-4 in HCAC play. Rose-Hulman needed a win and a loss by Transylvania University entering Saturday to qualify for the conference tournament, but the Pioneers won 2-1 in double overtime to earn their tourney spot.
Gilliam scored in the 25th, 33rd and 34th minutes to push Rose-Hulman out to 3-0 lead at halftime. Cassidy Cain, Lauren London and Stefanie Panzenhagen recorded the assists on the first half goals.
In the second half, senior Kate DeMoss scored her team-high eighth goal of teh season in the 67th minute on a pass from Panzenhagen. Senior Mallory McDevitt added her first career goal in her 75th career start to round out the scoring in the 88th minute, on a pass from DeMoss.
Rose-Hulman outshot Bluffton 18-5 in the contest. Senior Lucinda Combs capped her record setting career with three saves and her school record 36th career shutout.
Rose-Hulman finished a .500 season at 9-9 and placed fifth in the conference standings at 5-4. Bluffton completed the year at 7-11 and 3-6 in league play.
