LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Lady Chaps rolled over New Mexico Highlands on Friday, Sept. 2, peppering the Cowgirls with 18 shots on goal on the way to a 5-0 victory.

The scoring came early and often for LCU (2-0-1) as Maddie Hoel found Stephanie McClung in front of the net in just the sixth minute to put the Lady Chaps ahead 1-0. The goal is McClung's first of her collegiate career.

Just over two minutes later, the Chaps lit up the scoreboard again in Las Vegas, with Lexi De La Cruz running wide open in front of goal in the eighth minute to swell the Chap lead to 2-0.

De La Cruz found the back of the net again in the 14^th minute, after Evie Rodriguez and McClung teamed up to find the streaking sophomore in the box, and one nifty move around Cowgirls (0-2) keeper Isabella Ortiz gave LCU the 3-0 advantage at the break.

In the 75^th minute, De La Cruz got open on a long pass from Arely Jimenez in the middle of the field, and with one touch off the foot, the Lubbock native recorded her first hat trick as a Lady Chap, putting LCU up 4-0.

Lubbock Christian was not finished, as just over three minutes later in the 78^th minute, Graycen Rasmussen scored her first collegiate goal, icing the contest and giving the Lady Chaps the 5-0 victory.

De La Cruz's six points in one match are tied for the second-most in one contest in program history. Her three goals are also tied for the second-most in one match, behind current assistant coach Brooke Wendl who scored four against Southwest on Sept. 3, 2015. De La Cruz also attempted 10 shots with nine of those on goal. The 10 shots in one match is tied for fourth most in a single game in program history.

De La Cruz is also the first Lady Chap to record a hat trick since that contest for Wendl back in 2015 against Southwest. Wendl is the all-time leader in points, goals and assists for the Lady Chaps. 

Abby Kone recorded her third straight shutout at keeper. The Uvalde, Texas native already sits in seventh place for most shutouts in a career. Kone picked up three saves in the win.

This is the first time the Lady Chaps have recorded three straight shutouts since Sept. 30-Oct. 14 of 2017. That squad went 4-0 in those matches, outscoring their opponents 7-0. LCU has not allowed a goal in their last 275:46 of game action.

The Lady Chaps will finally play their home opener on Sunday, Sept. 4 facing East Central at 1 PM. Fans can purchase tickets for the contest at lcuchaps.com.