Girls soccer: Ava Schmidt's hat trick sends Lake Mills past Columbus 3-0

COLUMBUS -- Senior Ava Schmidt scored a hat trick, fueling Lake Mills' 3-0 road victory over Columbus in Capitol Conference soccer on Tuesday, April 23.

Schmidt scored on senior Addison Roberts' assist just 62 seconds into the game, adding a fifth minute goal assisted by junior Addie Ninneman. Schmidt, off an assist by sophomore Mollie Cooper, capped the scoring with a goal in the 61st minute.

Freshman keeper Milan Fullerton made four saves in her clean sheet for the L-Cats (7-2, 2-1 in conference).

"Tonight, Columbus did what Columbus usually does, and that is make it difficult to score on them," Lake Mills girls soccer coach Jeff Hegstrom said. "We really came out fast with aggressive play and high energy. Addison, Addie and Mollie all had great finds to Ava, who converted her hat trick inside the 6.

"Ava played with a crash and be near the goal mentality, and it paid off big time. It was a tough battle, but I'm really proud of our girls for staying the course, and earning another shutout win."

Lake Mills plays at Baraboo on Thursday.

LAKE MILLS 3, COLUMBUS 0

Lake Mills 2 1 -- 3

Columbus 0 0 -- 0

First half -- LM: Schmidt (Roberts), 1:02; Schmidt (A. Ninneman), 4:45.

Second half -- LM: Schmidt (Cooper), 60:21.

Saves -- LM (Fullerton) 4, C (Breininger) 13.