Sinclair sets up Megan Rapinoe’s game-winner at 4:12 and then adds five strikes over the next 57 minutes.
EUGENE, Ore. - Portland senior striker Christine Sinclair set a Papé Field record with five goals and assisted on the sixth as the Pilots cruised to a 6-0 win over the Oregon Ducks in front of 1,129 fans Wednesday night. Freshman Megan Rapinoe recorded the game-winner in the fifth minute and added two more assists, while Michele Scifo tallied two assists as well for Portland. The Pilots (2-0-0) held a decisive 20-2 shot advantage over the Ducks (2-1-0) and carried a 4-0 lead into halftime.
Sinclair had never scored more than three goals in one game entering the contest, but became just the third player in UP history to score five or more goals, joining Tori Rogel (6 - 1990) and Linda Brock (6 - 1982). Her 11-point performance is also third highest on the Pilot single-game charts.
The reigning M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner got the scoring started in the fifth minute with a run down the right sideline and cross to Rapinoe who slotted the finish past UO freshman goalkeeper Jessie Chatfield. In the 10th minute, Rapinoe returned the favor and found Sinclair for the finish and a 2-0 lead.
Rapinoe and Scifo played a nice combination in the 16th minute and found an unmarked Sinclair in the box for her second strike. Scifo and Sinclair again connected for a 4-0 lead in the 31st minute, while Sinclair added second-half goals in the 51st and 62nd minutes to cap the scoring.
"We got goals early and played very well from start to finish," coach Garrett Smith said. "Everyone got an opportunity to play unless they were hurt or injured, so it was a complete team effort. Christine had a spectacular day, but like any good goal-scorer, she needed good services and she got that tonight."
"As a coach and former player, I’m disappointed that we weren’t more competitive, but you also have to realize how good Portland is and what a gifted player (Christine) Sinclair is," said Oregon coach Tara Erickson. "They are No. 4 right now, and I can’t believe there are three teams in the nation better than the one we played tonight. That might be UP’s best team ever."
All 18 active Pilots took the pitch, while sophomore forward Natalie Budge was given the day off due to illness. Scifo took her spot in the starting lineup and played well, while sophomore defender Kelli Cronkrite also got the starting nod on defense.
Sophomore goalkeeper Cori Alexander logged the first 45 minutes without having to make a save and sophomore reserve keeper Ruth Gilliam stopped both UO second-half attempts to preserve the shutout.
Pilot defenders Kelsy Hollenbeck, Stephanie Lopez and Kari Evans, along with Cronkrite, stifled nearly all Oregon attacks to earn Portland’s second clean sheet of the season.
"We have been impressive in both games so far this season, but it’s only two games and we have a long ways to go," Smith added.
Portland will next head to the Washington Husky/Nike Invitational in Seattle, Wash. on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 2-4. The Pilots will face San Diego State on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and cap the weekend against Pacific (CA) at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
NOTES: The crowd of 1,129 was the fifth-largest in Pape’ Field history ... the 6-0 defeat was Oregon’s worst home loss in history ... UP senior All-American midfielder Lindsey Huie assisted on Portland’s final goal, moving her into sole possession of fourth place on the UP career assists charts with 36 ... Huie has an assist in each of the first two games ... Rapinoe now has three goals and two assists on the season, including both UP game-winners ... the Pilots have outshot opponents 40-5 through two contests ... Sinclair now has 77 career goals and is 10 shy of tying Shannon MacMillan (1992-95) for second all-time.
Portland (2-0-0) vs. Oregon (2-1-0)
Date: Aug 31, 2005 Attendance: 1129
Weather: sunny, 71 degrees, light north wind
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Portland............ 4 2 - 6
Oregon.............. 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 4:12 POR RAPINOE, Megan (3) (SINCLAIR, Christine)
2. 9:43 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (2) (RAPINOE, Megan)
3. 15:39 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (3) (RAPINOE, Megan;SCIFO, Michele)
4. 30:34 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (4) (SCIFO, Michele) - nice chip over keeper
5. 50:38 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (5) (unassisted) - bent around wall on direct kick
6. 61:15 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (6) (HUIE, Lindsey) - Papé Field Individual Record
Shots: Portland 20, Oregon 2
Saves: Portland 2 (GILLIAM, Ruth 2), Oregon 6 (Chatfield, Jessie 6)
