CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Last season's NCCAA National Champion Indiana Wesleyan University women's soccer team kicked off the 2008 season with a convincing 5-1 win over Campbellsville (Ky.) University on Wednesday night in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Indiana Wesleyan sophomore midfielder Brittany Smith recorded a hat trick in her first match with the Wildcats after transferring in from Illinois Central College. Senior forward Becca Mathews and sophomore midfielder Megan Marshall also chipped in with a goal apiece as the Wildcats out-shot the Tigers 20-8 on the afternoon.

Senior goalkeeper Melissa Gingerich earned the win in net for Indiana Wesleyan as she stopped four Campbellsville shots on goal.

"It was a good first game for us. Especially in the first half, we played real well and worked extremely hard as a team," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Dr. John Bratcher. "We are a very young team and have work in front of us, but we will be a different team by the end of the year as we are able to play together."

Indiana Wesleyan scored three goals in the opening 25 minutes of action as the Wildcats held a 3-0 lead at intermission. IWU added a pair of goals in the final 12 minutes of play to capture a 5-0 advantage. Campbellsville avoided the shutout as the Tigers pushed across their only goal off a free kick with five seconds remaining.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to the pitch at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, as the Wildcats battle Asbury (Ky.) College in Wilmore, Kentucky.