PROVO, UTAH – Christine Sinclair celebrated her return to Portland’s lineup with a pair of goals Thursday, leading the #7 Pilots to a dominating 3-0 win over Idaho State in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Women’s College Cup at Brigham Young University. Erin Misaki added a goal and an assist for the Pilots, which improved to 15-4-2 with the win.

“Solidifying an early result allowed us to get the majority of our starters off the field and still in good health,” said Pilot head coach Clive Charles, who won his 20th career NCAA women’s playoff game (20-9). “I have to say that it was nice to play an opponent that came out to play and not bunker in defense. Idaho State is one of the few teams that have wanted to play soccer with us.”

Saturday, the eighth-seeded Pilots will play the winner of Thursday night’s Utah-Brigham Young showdown.

The Pilots were clinical in building a quick lead just 4:08 into the match when Emily Patterson slotted a crafty leading pass into the box to Sinclair. Drawing the Idaho State keeper off her line, Sinclair neatly finished the play to the near post.

Just over eight minutes later, Misaki pounced on a loose ball in the box after Idaho State’s defense was shoddy in clearance. Misaki buried the ball to the near post from eight yards out.

Sinclair capped the scoring at 21:44 on a play started off a corner kick. Lindsey Huie’s corner was cleared away to the top of the box, where Kristen Rogers angled a short pass to Misaki, who sent another angled pass to Sinclair on her left. Sinclair then deftly finished for her 18th goal of the season.

“We’re more goal-dangerous with Christine in our lineup, and this result proves that,” added Charles. “Having a striker of her caliber on the field also opens up the field, and it was nice to have Erin Misaki involved in our scoring.”

Portland, which outshot Idaho State 8-0 in the first half, was able to provide playing time to the entire bench except for backup keeper Kim Head. Sinclair, Lauren Orlandos all came off two-thirds into the second half, while Misaki, Wanda Rozwadowska and Emily Patterson made quick exits in the second half.

The Portland defense wasn’t seriously tested in the game, leaving Pilot keeper Lauren Arase little to save for a pair of recreational stops. Idaho State’s first shot didn’t come until the 64th minute, and their second came with less than three minutes remaining.