KOKOMO, Ind. – The IU Kokomo women's soccer team took down IU East 5-1 Wednesday evening in the River States Conference Tournament semifinals, to advance to Saturday's RSC Tournament Championship. The Cougars enter Saturday's conference championship match with an overall record of 13-2-3.

The Cougars made history Wednesday before the game even started, as it was the program's first appearance in the RSC Tournament semifinals, but much more history was made by the end of the night. With the win, the Cougs advance to their first ever RSC Tournament Championship, with a bid to the NAIA National Tournament on the line.

Senior Keely Hoopingarner, the RSC goalscoring leader, made history as an individual Wednesday night, as she became the first in program history to score a hat-trick in a game.

IU Kokomo got on the scoreboard first in the 18th minute, as senior right back Cassie Dispennett found the back of the net from just outside the 18-yard box. Dispennett's first goal of the year gave IUK a 1-0 lead less than midway through the first half.

Less than ten minutes later, Keely Hoopingarner scored her 20th goal of the season and first of the night on a play that was assisted by Skylar Mannon. Hoopingarner's goal in the 24th minute extended the IUK lead to 2-0, and the Cougs took the two-goal lead into the halftime break.

In the 63rd minute, IU East was whistled for a foul in the box, awarding IU Kokomo a penalty kick. Head coach Sohaila Akhavein and company turned to Hoopingarner, who calmly converted the PK to give IUK a three-goal lead.

Less than a minute after Hoopingarner's second goal of the match, IU East's Ava Wittrock scored to trim the IU Kokomo lead to 3-1 in the 65th minute.

Kelsi Hoot found the upper left corner of the goal in the 67th minute to give the Cougars their second three-goal lead of the match. Hoot's sixth goal on the year extended the IUK lead to 4-1 with 23 minutes remaining in the match.

IUK was not done yet, as Keely Hoopingarner scored her third goal of the night for the first hat-trick in Cougar women's soccer history. Hoopingarner's 22nd goal of the year was assisted by Andi Williams.

IU Kokomo went on to beat the Red Wolves of IU East 5-1 Wednesday night to advance to the RSC Tournament Championship match.

Freshman goalkeeper Kailee Moore made eight saves on nine IU East shots on goal. 

The Cougars will return to the pitch at Kokomo Municipal Stadium this Saturday afternoon, as they are set to host University of Rio Grande in the River States Conference Tournament Championship. Rio Grande upset #1 seed Point Park in a shootout in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. Kickoff is set for 3:00 P.M.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.