BENTONVILLE -- It was once, twice, three times for Lauren Hargus on Tuesday.

Hargus scored three goals to complete a hat trick and lead Bentonville to a 6-0 victory over Bentonville West in 7A-West action at the Bentonville Athletic Complex. Hargus scored two goals in the first half and one in the second half for the Lady Tigers, who also received goals from Ginger Olson, Emma Welch, and Taylor Muff.

"I was just waiting for somebody to drive through and draw players out," Bentonville coach Kristina Henry said of Hargus, a senior midfielder. "When she did that, she changed the game."

Bentonville (12-2, 7-0) ) earned a conference victory Tuesday after losing 3-1 to Ozark, Mo., last weekend to end an 11-match win streak. The game came in a tournament at Ozark, Mo., where the Lady Tigers played five games in three days.

Hargus put Bentonville ahead 1-0 with the help of a fine assist from Olson, a freshman forward. Olson advanced the ball toward the goal from the west side and stopped as a defender went by. She then passed to Hargus, who kicked high into the net for her first of three goals on the night.

"Ginger is so smooth and she knows where the ball needs to go," Henry said. "She's so composed."

Bentonville added two goals early in the second half to increase its lead to 4-0. Olson scored on an assist from Lauren Holly with less than three minutes into the second half. Hargus then completed the hat trick with an assist from Carrie Kotoucek with 34 minutes, 51 seconds left to play.

Bentonville West (3-11-1, 2-5), which defeated Rogers Heritage 2-0 last week, rarely threatened against a active defensive effort from the Lady Tigers.
