SCOTTDALE, Pa.- Behind Kayleen Schwegler's first half hat-trick, the Pitt-Greensburg women's soccer team opened the 2016 season with a 4-2 victory over Bethany College on Friday afternoon at Southmoreland High School.

Friday's game was originally scheduled to be played Ridilla Field, but due to poor field conditions the match was moved to a turf surface at Southmoreland High School.

Schwegler, the 2015 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Freshman of the Year started her sophomore year off in style notching the first goal of the 2016 campaign in the 12^th minute, as she stole the ball of a Bison defender and slid it past the keeper to give UPG a 1-0 lead.

The sophomore midfield added her second goal of the match in the 25^th minute and completed the hat trick with her third of the match with just seven seconds remaining before the halftime whistle.

Pitt-Greensburg dominated the possession in the first half, outshooting the Bison by an 8-1 and held a 6-0 margin in corner kick opportunities.
Jessica Moore gave UPG a 4-0 lead in the 61^st minute, taking a pass from teammate Brianna Burgunder and burying it into the back of the net.

Bethany would get on the scoreboard in the 74^th minute when Brittany Fullbright was fouled in the 18-yard box resulting in a penalty kick opportunity for the visitors. Fullbright stepped up to the PK spot and buried it past Kaitlyn Watson.

Sam Zoeller scored Bethany's second goal of the match with just three minutes remaining in regulation, but Pitt-Greensburg went on for the 4-2 victory to secure its first win of the season.

UPG dominated on the offense end totaling 18 shots for the match compared to just four for Bethany. The Bobcats were in great form all afternoon placing nine of its attempts on frame.

Pitt-Greensburg returns to action on Sunday afternoon, when it travels to Washington, Pa to face Washington and Jefferson. Kickoff for Sunday's match is set for 3:00 p.m.