Super Falcons star, Jennifer Echegini, bagged a hat-trick as Juventus Women thrashed Fiorentina 4-0 in Biella on Saturday afternoon.
The win means Juventus did not only avenged their recent Italian Cup semi-final loss but also solidified their position in second place, now eight points ahead of Fiorentina in third.
Juventus Women coach, Giuseppe Zappella, made strategic changes for the match, deploying Sara Gama at right-back and Martina Lenzini in the center alongside Viola Calligaris.
Hat-trick hero, Echegini, returned to support Cristiana Girelli, Lineth Beerensteyn, and Lindsey Thomas.
Fiorentina early chance was denied by goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and Juventus quickly seized the initiative, with Julia Grosso opening the scoring with a superb strike from the edge of the area in 10th minute of the game.
Jennifer Echegini swiftly doubled the lead with a clinical finish after excellent work from Beerensteyn on the left.
After the break, Juventus continued their dominance, with Echegini extending the lead shortly after halftime.
The 23-year-old Nigerian striker completed her hat-trick in the 55th and 61st minutes respectively to seal a comprehensive victory for Juventus.
The midfielder, who joined Juventus in January, has now scored eight goals in eight league appearances for the Bianconeri.
The excited Echegini reflected on her resounding performance after the game.
“I’m, firstly, really excited and I want to give props to my team. For every one of those goals, we all worked for it and they’re great team goals.
“I really just had to put myself in the position and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” she told reporters after the game.
“I’m really excited to have had the opportunity to be able to show what I can do, that makes me happy.
“I just want to make the most out of any opportunity I get, whether I score or not I want to be able to make an impact and I’m glad to have done that today.”
