MOUNT BERRY, Ga. — In their final game of the regular season, the Vikings (5–9, 1–4 SAA) tied for the third-most goals in school history as they dominated the Southwestern University Pirates, 22–1, to secure their first conference win. Dani Taraska led the way with a phenomenal six-goal performance.
Entering the game on a seven-game skid, the Vikings were determined to end the season on a high note on Senior Day. Katie Claire Smith sparked the offense, striking first in transition to give Berry an early 1–0 lead. The Vikings caught fire in the opening quarter, pouring in seven more unanswered goals to take an 8–0 lead into the second.
Berry carried that momentum into the second quarter. Taraska completed her hat trick as the Vikings extended their lead to 11–0 before Southwestern broke through with its lone goal. The Florida native remained unstoppable, adding two more goals to bring her first-half total to five and give Berry a commanding 13–1 lead at the break.
Smith recorded a hat trick of her own early in the second half, pushing the Vikings' total to 14. A free-position goal from Lillie Swanson brought Berry within striking distance of the program record, needing nine more goals with two quarters to play. The Vikings continued their offensive surge, closing the third quarter with a 20–1 advantage.
Though the outcome was well in hand entering the fourth, Berry still had history in its sights. Isabel Pregont connected with Katie Collier to cut the deficit to three goals shy of the record with 11 minutes remaining. Moments later, Taraska found Pregont inside for another score, bringing the Vikings within two. Despite the late push, Southwestern tightened defensively down the stretch, and Berry ultimately finished tied for the third-most goals in program history in a 22–1 victory.
