Ernestina Abambila is setting high standards in US College Soccer even before the main season begins after netting two hat-tricks in two pre-season games for Mississippi Valley State University where she is currently an undergraduate.
Abambila who previously played as a central defender for the Black Maidens at last year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica, has now evolved into an attacking midfielder under Mississippi's Ghanaian coach, Fabio Boateng and her new position is yielding big dividends.
As they prepare for the South Western Athletics Conference (SWAC) soccer season which kicks off on September 25, Abambila's side have lined up a host of friendly games and the 16 year old Ghanaian is on song banging in a pair of trebles in the two games so far.
Mississippi Valley State claimed its first win of the year during its exhibition game against Bethal University, 3-1. Ernestina Abambila scored all three goals – one in the first half and the last two in the second.
She followed up with another hat-trick and two assists in their 10-1 whitewash of East Central Community College on Tuesday.
"I was very excited when l scored the hat trick but to do it again in the next game a few days later was just amazing," Abambila told Allsports.com.gh exclusively from her US base.
"My personal target is to help my team to win the SWAC league and for myself to get the best player in our conference or league," she added in the quest to obliterate Mississippi's woeful record (4-11) last year when they were also eliminated in the very first round of the SWAC Soccer tournament.
On her switch of positions, the Ghanaian youngster says she is enjoying playing up the field and has expressed gratitude to Coach Boateng for her new role.
"I am no more playing defence, the coach has changed my position which is great. It suits me very well and it has helped me a lot," Abambila said.