Welcome back Meredith Hollar!

The Warsaw Community High School soccer star returned to prep action in fabulous fashion Thursday night in the season opener.

Hollar, who missed all of last season due to a serious knee injury, netted five goals as the Tigers steamrolled Huntington North 9-0 at WCHS.

Hollar tallied three goals in the opening half as coach Dan Miller’s talented team rolled to a 5-0 lead at intermission. Hollar also added three assists in the victory.  Her handful of goals tied her own single-game school record.

Sophomore Danielle Hutcherson and senior Gabby Monroy each added a pair of goals for the Tigers.  Each scored once in the opening half for the hosts.

Senior Erica Gauger dished out two assists for WCHS in the lopsided win over the Vikings (0-2). Sophomore Brooklyn Jackson, senior Emily Tandy, freshman Elizabeth Van Wormer and senior Kelly Williams each added one assist for the Tigers.

Junior keeper Abby Schue made one save in goal to post the shutout win.

Hollar was sidelined her junior season after suffering a torn ACL and torn meniscus during a travel soccer game while playing for the Fort Wayne Fever during the spring.  The Tigers went 13-3-2 a year ago without their standout, losing to South Bend St. Joseph’s in the regional.

Hollar, who plans to play at Grace College next year,  netted a school-record 28 goals during a stellar sophomore season for WCHS. She now has 47 goals in her prep career.  The school record is 61 by Ashley Kitchens.

WCHS (1-0) plays Saturday in the Shindigz National Soccer Festival in Fort Wayne. The Tigers are scheduled to play Concordia at 10 a.m. and DeKalb at 6 p.m. at IPFW.