SAN MARCOS, Texas – The first Texas State hat trick in over five seasons by junior forward Lauren Prater led the Texas State soccer team to a 4-2 victory over former Southland Conference foe Lamar Sunday afternoon. Prater scored one goal in the first and two more in the second to lead the Bobcats to its fifth consecutive and sixth overall victory of the season.
 
Texas State (6-2) got on the board in the 17^th minute with Prater's first goal of the contest. Senior forward Lynsey Curry fed the ball to Prater who tapped it into the net on the right side.
 
Lamar countered with its first goal of the contest of the 29^th minute and the teams proceeded to go into the half tied at one goal apiece.
 
The second half of play started off slow but, in the 62^nd minute, Prater struck again with the ultimate game-winner with another pass from Curry. Curry finished the contest with a career-high three assists after she assisted Ali Jones' first goal of the season in the 72^nd minute.
 
Prater's third goal of the contest came less than a minute after her second and was assisted by Maddie Nichols.
 
The hat trick by Prater was the first Bobcat hat trick since Britney Curry recorded three against Grambling State on Sept. 12, 2010. Prater has now recorded a team-high seven goals as the Bobcat enter into the conference season.
 
Texas State finished the contest with 18 total shots including 10 on goal compared to just seven shots by the Cardinals. Prater led the way for the Bobcats with eight shots.
 
The Bobcats will remain at home to begin conference play this upcoming weekend, beginning with Little Rock at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Admission to the Bobcat Soccer Complex is always free. For more information on the Texas State soccer team, follow the 'Cats on Facebook (Texas State Soccer), Twitter (@TxStateSoccer) or go online at www.txstatebobcats.com.