Sampson Middle’s Erica Zeng recorded a hat trick Tuesday after scoring three of the Dark Horses’ eight goals in the first half. Although Midway came back with three of their own, avoiding a shutout, Sampson added three more for an 11-3 trampling.

Zeng, scoring the first, third and seventh goals of the first half, was joined by Darby Taylor with the second goal, Leah Zeng with the fourth goal, Victoria Tyndall with the fifth and sixth goals and Hannah Smith with the final goal of the first half, Sampson’s coaches Gib Palmer and Jennifer Miller reported.

Midway’s Avery Apperson fired off the Raiders first shot of the second half, roughly 6 minutes in, but was unsuccessful. A minute later, Alexis Tallent put her best foot forward in an attempt to get the Raiders on the board; however, Sampson’s Skyler Ray defended the ball up field.

With just over 10 minutes shed from the second half, Apperson lassoed a goal for the Raiders after knocking her shot by Donya Ramos.

With 18 minutes left to play, Sampson’s Caroline Barwick took the Dark Horses up to an eight-goal lead after knocking a shot over the keeper’s head.

After luring Ramos from the goal, Midway’s Alexius Wilson pulled in the Raiders second goal of the night; however, 2 minutes later Barwick broke away, faked out the goalie and bombed a shot into the back of the net for a 10-2 Dark Horse lead.

Apperson scored once more for the Raiders, but Sampson secured the win with a final goal 3 minutes before the whistle.

Sampson will host Hobbton Tuesday, March 16; Midway will travel to Roseboro-Salemburg.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@intrstar.net