PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Benji Michel, who scored four goals during opening weekend, is the inaugural West Coast Conference Men's Soccer Player of the week. It's the first WCC weekly award for Michel.
 
Michel registered a hat trick during the first 26 minutes on Sunday as the Pilots rolled to a 6-0 win over the Fairfield Stags, with all three goals coming during a 10-minute span. The hat trick is the first at Merlo Field since UP's Alejandro Salazar accomplished the feat in 2003.
 
The first goal, which proved to be the game-winner, was in the 16th minute when he beat the Fairfield keeper to the ball and hit it into the back of the net. His second was on a header from the center of the box in the 25th minute, and his third came just a minute later when he hammered a shot inside the right post from a tough angle.
 
Michel also scored during the season-opener on Friday to give him four goals on just five shots on the young season.
 
A 2017 Preseason All-WCC selection, Michel was the league's freshman of the year last year. He also landed on the All-WCC First Team after leading the conference with 10 goals.
 
Michel and the Pilots are back at Merlo Field 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 also slated for 7 p.m.