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MORAGA, Calif. --- Portland freshman Brandon Zambrano netted a hat trick and added an assist as the Pilots scored five unanswered goals en route to a convincing 5-1 win over the Saint Mary's Gaels on Friday afternoon at Garaventa Field. The game will go into the books as a non-league match, despite both teams being from the West Coast Conference.

The five goals are the most scored by the Pilots (2-5-3) in a game since 2009, and Zambrano's hat trick is the first for the program since sophomore Eddie Sanchez accomplished that feat last season.

The Gaels (5-3-2) scored the game's first goal in the eighth minute, but the Pilots responded in a big way. First sophomore Thomas Peterson scored his first career goal to level the score at 1-1 in the 10th minute. Hugo Rhoads sent a ball in from the right wing, and Peterson did the rest, finishing from 10 yards out.

Zambrano then exploded for two goals only seconds apart. On his first goal, Zambrano took a touch inside, struck the ball with the inside of his right foot and placed a perfect, bending ball inside the top right corner from 25 yards out. 32 seconds later, Zambrano did it again, this time giving the Pilots a 3-1 lead at the half with his second goal of the season.

The Pilots, and goalkeeper Paul Christensen, would repeatedly deny the Gaels from there as the game would remain 3-1 until Zambrano found the back of the net again in the 88th minute. His goal was followed by a tally from freshman Erik Edwardson, courtesy an assist from Zambrano, in the 90th minute to cap the route for the Pilots.

Rhoads had two assists for the Pilots, while sophomore Rory Johnston picked up his first career assist.

Christensen, a true freshman, finished five saves as the Gaels claimed a slim 17-16 advantage in overall shots. Portland did however have 12 shots on-goal, while Saint Mary's totaled 10.

Christensen, a true freshman, finished five saves as the Gaels claimed a slim 17-16 advantage in shots. Portland did however have 12 shots on-goal, while Saint Mary's totaled only eight.

The Pilots next return home on Sunday to host the Pacific Tigers, who are in their first year as a NCAA Division I program. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m., and the game will be followed by the UP women's match with Saint Mary's.