MERIDIAN – Esmeralda Figueroa (Northeast Jones) completed her hat-trick in the 87th minute and five different Bobcats scored in an 8-1 rout at Meridian Tuesday night.

Jones improved to 9-5, 5-1 in the south, and ran its season-long win streak to four games. 

Figueroa's first of three goals came 7:27 into the match, when Allie James (West Jones) played a great ball over the top of the defense and she hammered it home for the score.

A Natasha Keen (Jersey, UK) in the 20th minute and a Figueroa goal in the 30th minute gave JC a 3-0 lead at the break.

Meridian got on the scoreboard four minutes into the second half when Sophie Roberts used a Skylar Spears assist and scored up top to make it 3-1.

The Bobcats would respond just 3:10 later when Anna Grace Gieger (West Jones) one-touched a Keen cross for the goal. 

JC would add goals in the 76th minute from Heather Sullivan (Pearl), 78th and 85th minutes from Emily Riley (Gautier) 30 and 40 yards out, and finally Figueroa in the 87th minute as part of a five-goal second half.

The final shot tally was 36-8 in favor of JC, including 24-3 on goal. Leia Carter finished with 13 saves for Meridian.

Alexis Wilson (Long Beach) and Sarah Sumrall (Northeast Jones) split time in net, each playing a half.

JC will face Gordon State (10-1-2) on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. in a neutral site contest. The match will be played at Sports Blast Fields located at 19220 Hwy. 280 East, Birmingham, AL, 35242.