Girls soccer: Bonilla’s hat trick sends Palatine past Buffalo Grove and into MSL East lead

Jocelyn Bonilla was the hat-trick hero for Palatine Wednesday night at Chic Anderson Stadium, scoring her three goals in the first quarter hour to lead the Pirates to an impressive 4-0 victory over visiting Buffalo Grove.

The Pirates (8-2-0, 5-0-0), with their seventh consecutive victory, now find themselves atop the MSL East Division all alone with 15 points, three more than Buffalo Grove (4-2-1) who fell to 4-1-0 in league play.

"Jocelyn is such a great player, with and without the ball, and her technically ability and skill is what makes her such a dangerous player as well," said Pirates captain Jolee Waddington, who added the fourth goal for her club with her spot kick in the 46th minute, her 13th goal of the season.

"We're a better team this year because we're so much more healthy, and we're playing better as a team also," said Bonilla, now with 15 goals.

The junior would net the eventual opener in the third minute when she touched away from a Bison defender before driving home a thunderous right-footed effort from 12 yards.

Five minutes later Bonilla would double the Pirates advantage when she redirected a wonderful cross from Waddington, who ran down a well played early ball out of the back from Aubrey Deluga.

Bonilla had enough time to settle and tee-up her short range attempt that she smashed in from 14 yards in the 15th minute to make it 3-0.

"No. 9 (Bonilla) is such a dynamic player, and along with No. 5 (Waddington) they were a handful for us tonight," said Bison coach Pat Dudle.

"When you are chasing the game so early, it is very difficult to get back into the game. That's why it is important for us to keep games as close as we can," added Bison captain Brooke Wells.

The Bison, who entered this contest with just two goals scored upon them, will play Rolling Meadows Friday, while the Pirates take on Hoffman Estates on the same night as division play continues for both clubs.