PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Benji Michel tallied a hat trick during the game's first 26 minutes and senior Jason Romero registered a hat trick of his own as the No. 15 Pilots claimed a dominant 6-0 win over the Fairfield Stags on Sunday evening at Merlo Field. The six goals are the most scored by the Pilots since also defeating Marshall by a 6-0 margin in 2006.
 
Michel's hat trick was the first hat trick recorded at Merlo Field since Alejandro Salazar accomplished the feat in 2003.
 
"Today was as comprehensive performance as you could tell our group was hungry and committed to playing our brand," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "We felt we deserved more on Friday night and came out with a big chip on our shoulder to bounce back with a statement. Anytime two of your forwards score a hat trick and your team keeps a clean sheet you walk away pleased. We had very good performances from many guys today as we showed our dynamic mobility and creativity in the attack. We know it's just the start and we still have a lot of room to improve. We now prepare for a very good Seattle University team and encourage the Portland community to come out strong to support the team Friday at Merlo."

Michel's first goal came in the 16th minute and it came on a nice ball played forward by Rey Ortiz. Fairfield goalie Gordon Botterill came racing off his line to try to beat Michel to the ball, but it bounced past the keeper into the 18. Michel then avoided Botterill before finishing to hand the Pilots the early lead.
 
Ortiz and Michel hooked up again moments later to make it a 2-0 game. Ortiz had possession in the right corner, made a handful of deft moves to lose the defender, and sent a cross towards the top of the six-year box. That's where Michel found the back of the net with a powerful header.
 
Then barely a minute later, Michel notched the first-half hat trick when he drilled a shot inside the right post from an impossible angle. Freshman Spencer Myers earned his first career assist on the goal, which gave the home side a cozy 3-0 lead.
 
The advantage would grow to 4-0 before the half when Romero, a senior transfer, opened his account as a Pilot when he re-directed a ball sent in from Eric de Graaf. De Graaf and Erik Edwardson combined near the right touch line to set up the goal, and de Graaf whipped in a perfectly-placed cross towards the top of the six-yard box. Romero did the rest for his first career goal on The Bluff.
 
Romero would make it two goals when he scored 33 seconds into the second half. He took a pass from Ortiz, made a move across the top of the box to create some space, and hammered a low shot inside the right post. And then in the 66th minute, he completed his hat trick when he tucked away a penalty.
 
Portland was dominant in possession all afternoon as the ball rarely left the Fairfield half of the field. The Pilots finished with a convincing 20-2 edge in shots and held an 8-0 advantage in corners.
 
Portland's senior goalkeeper Paul Christensen picks up his first shutout of the year, while it's his 15th career blank sheet.
 
The Pilots next remain at home this weekend to host the 2017 Nike Portland Invitational at Merlo Field. First on Friday, Portland will face Seattle U at 7 p.m. Monday brings a visit from Cal State Fullerton, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.