Kirby Zak produced a hat trick with three goals and assisted on a fourth score to lead Sam Houston State to a 6-0 non-conference women's soccer victory over Texas Southern in a rain-soaked home opener for the Bearkats.  

The victory upped Sam Houston's season record to 2-4-1.   Alex Clifton scored two goals and Leah Snelson added a goal and two assists for the Bearkats.  

Sam Houston out shot the Tigers 31 to six. Texas Southern goalkeeper Marissa Washington was credited with six saves. 

Heavy rains just before and often during the contest soaked the Pritchett Field playing service often causing spills by both sides. But the Bearkat offense still responded.

"It was difficult to play tonight with the rain and all the stuff going on," SHSU head coach Tom Brown said. "I think the girls were really excited to be at home after being on the road so long. We have some things to work on. We really appreciate all the fans who braved the wet conditions to cheer the team. 

"Hopefully, this will give our offense some confidence as we get ready for a tough match Sunday afternoon at Texas A&M. Each time out we look for our young team to learn some things. We were able to get a lot of players forward and that's good, but sometimes we were a little unorganized in the back and that is something we will work on."

Zak started the scoring in the eighth minute, taking a cross from the left side through the box after passes from Haley Rohlmeier and Leah Snelson.

Alex Clifton scored from 20 yards out after a steal in the 32nd minute.

Snelson tallied in the 40th minute on a feed from Zak to give the Bearkats a 3-0 edge at intermission.

Zak scored her second goal two-and-a-half minutes into the second period with Snelson picking up her second assist of the contest.

Less than a minute later, Clifton scored again. Zak completed her hat trick in the 52nd minute on a pass from Emily Jurecka.

The Bearkats take on Texas A&M in College Station Sunday at 3 p.m.