St. Scholastica Academy senior Kelly Gautreaux went on a scoring tear Tuesday night. Gautreaux polished off four goals during the first 21 minutes of the district match against the Covington’s Lady Lions sparking the Doves to a convincing 12-0 road victory.

SSA (7-1) remained unbeaten in district play, moving to 5-0 and tied with Fontainebleau (7-1, 5-0) for the district lead. The Doves, who have only allowed one district goal on a penalty kick, host the Lady Bulldogs this afternoon at 5:30 in a key match.

The Doves did an exceptional job controlling the ball early in the Covington match with its dominant offense. SSA’s outstanding passing set up Gautreaux for short-range shots. Gautreaux tallied her first goal in the third minute assisted by Danielle Beatty. Just two minutes later, Gautreaux found the back of the net again, assisted by Elise Gagnon. Gautreaux, the Doves’ scoring machine, netted her hat trick in the 20th minute off an assist from senior Tricia Johnson. Gautreaux said she and her teammates came out strong.

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“We wanted to come out and play our game. Early goals can definitely boost your confidence. We didn’t want to look past Covington as we prepare for our big match with Fontainebleau,” Gautreaux said.

Following Gautreaux’s third goal, SSA kept up its relentless offensive pressure with Ashley Martinez being fouled. In the 21st minute, Beatty lofted a nice touch pass to Gautreaux, who finished a goal from inside the six to give the Doves an insurmountable 4-0 lead.

Beatty then joined the scoring column with a goal just four minutes later with Gagnon credited with her second assist. Beatty increased the lead to 6-0 with a goal from 20 yards out in the 30th minute assisted by Martinez.

The Doves’ Rachael Zibilich pushed the lead to 7-0, scoring in the 39th minute. Gautreaux dribbled past the Covington defense on the left side and made a nice touch pass to Zibilich, who put the ball in net. Johnson finished off the Doves’ first half scoring, netting a goal in the final seconds to give SSA an 8-0 halftime margin. Gautreaux picked up her second assist on Johnson’s goal.

Junior Devon Radecker started in goal for Covington and, despite being peppered by SSA shots from all angles, did her best to hold things together. Radecker was credited with six saves, tipping and deflecting balls that appeared to be headed for goals.

CHS senior Jessica Miller took over in net during the second half. Miller did a creditable job against SSA’s outstanding offensive attack.

SSA’s Martinez delivered a goal six minutes into the second half assisted by Gagnon as the Doves, substituting liberally, kept up its offensive pressure.

SSA’s Amanda Salles knocked in a goal in the 72nd minute assisted by Rebecca Schwabe.

Two minutes later, Madeline Ruiz notched a goal on an assist from Amanda Salles.

Schwabe completed the Doves’ scoring in the 76th minute with Ruiz collecting the assist.

SSA coach Mike Ortner named Camille Shepherd his top defender.

Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Schwaner combined on the shutout with sophomore Sara Kuebel, who replaced her early in the second half.

CHS coach Scott Dupree gave credit to SSA for an outstanding effort.

“They are definitely the best team we have played this year. You are looking at a definite top five if not top one or two teams in the state,” Dupree said.

“We played a different formation. The positive I can take from it is I thought we played the formation well. I saw some nice passing in the middle of the field with some teamwork. I thought our goalkeepers coming off their line, coming out and challenging instead of staying in the back of the net,” Dupree added.