MANKATO, Minn. - Paige Birschbach continued to etch her name in Ripon's record books Sunday afternoon, recording a school record seventh career hat trick, while also tying a school record with her third of the season in a 5-1 victory against Bethany Lutheran. The win keeps Ripon unbeaten and improves their program-best start to a season to 12-0-1.

Birschbach's first goal came in the 18th minute on an assist from Morgan Johnson, which broke a scoreless tie. She added her second in the 29th minute on an assist from Abbie Maule, and her third in the 38th minute, assisted by Cassidy Blaney, giving Ripon a 3-0 halftime lead. That gives Birschbach 20 goals on the season, which is just five shy of tying the school's single season record, with five games left in the regular season.

Bethany Lutheran (5-6-2) scored their first goal in the 47th minute on an unassisted goal by Rachel Bitter. Ripon would get that goal back in the 84th minute when Paige Pierce scored on assists from Birschbach and Kaylee Tadych. Two minutes later, Tadych assisted on another goal when Abbie Maule found the back of the net. That gives Tadych 44 career assists, which is just two shy of tying the Midwest Conference record.

Miye Aoki-Kramer and Diana Meredith combined to make five saves for the Red Hawks. Ripon also out-shot Bethany Lutheran by a 27-13 margin.

Ripon will be in action again on Saturday when they'll travel to Illinois College. That game will be played at 3:30 p.m. in Jacksonville, Ill.