McCarty steps up in Jags’ rout of Southwest

Kaitlyn McCarty has put in a lot of work over the last few weeks for the UHV women's soccer team.

Head coach Adrian Rigby rewarded the sophomore midfielder with her second start of the year in Thursday's Red River Athletic Conference tilt with the University of the Southwest – and she delivered.

The Corpus Christi native found the back of the net twice as the Jaguars cruised to a 5-1 win over the Mustangs. Her performance on Thursday was a career-high in goals scored for the Calallen product.

"I was a little nervous at first, but I was really glad because I had worked so hard," McCarty said. "Then (Graduate Assistant Amanda Bautista) helped me calm my nerves and had a little chat with me. It just felt nice to contribute like that."

McCarty became the 13^th different player to score this season for the Jaguars (7-2-0, 4-2-0).

The ability to have variety in attack is something UHV has been proud to see grow over the last few weeks.

"I think it's a product of the work they're putting into it," Rigby said. "The start set the tone for the game in front of them. The girls who scored today, I think they did a real good job."

McCarty opened the game's scoring in the 19^th minute on a pass from her best friend, Trine Stenderup-Jorgensen before doubling UHV's lead three minutes later thanks to a pass from Yuvier Borjas.

Connecting with her best friend on the field was a moment McCarty will enjoy and hopes to replicate in the future.

"That was really good," McCarty said. "She just heard me call her name and she just knew. She sent that ball and I made the most of it."

UHV went up 3-0 in the 24^th minute thanks to Estelle Flanagan's fourth goal of the year and the Jaguars eventually took a 3-1 lead into halftime.

Kyleigh Spree-Kolos continued her hot streak for UHV in the second half, scoring in the 59^th and 74^th minutes on passes from Alva Klockare and Chloe Spencer. The graduate senior from Victoria now leads the team in goals with eight this season.

"From the first 10 seconds of the match, we were going forward strong," Spree-Kolos said. "Having a corner kick in the first 45 seconds, I think that set the tone for the game. It was a good start and we hope to keep that going."

Sophomore goalkeeper Franciezca Blancaflor earned her fourth win of the season between the posts after making a pair of saves.

The Jaguars next host Paul Quinn College at 1 p.m. on Saturday for the team's annual Pink Out Game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.