PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior Kimberly Hazlett scored two goals, the Pilots allowed only one shot, and Portland began the Michelle French era with a convincing 2-0 win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in the women's soccer season opener played on Friday night at Merlo Field. French, a Portland soccer alum, is a first-year head coach who took over the program in December.
The Pilots (1-0-0) were the more aggressive team all night long, and they finished with a sizable 14-1 edge in shots. Hazlett's first goal came in the 21st minute after she found herself with possession behind the Northern Arizona (0-0-1) backline. NAU keeper Taryn Benham came out to challenge, Hazlett took a touch to avoid her, and the forward buried a shot into the back of the net to hand the home side the first-half lead.
Portland created a handful of chances during the remainder of the half, including in the 28th minute when Madison Carter surprised Benham with a shot from outside the 18. Carter's strike nearly found the top shelf, but the NAU goalie was able to punch it over the crossbar, keeping the Lumberjacks within a goal.
It was more of the same in the second half as the Pilots continued to apply pressure in the final third, and Hazlett registered the brace when she finished on a nice ball from Taryn Ries in the 76th minute. Ries played a perfectly timed trough ball, and Hazlett did the rest with a well-hit strike into the left corner of the net.
From there the Pilots continued to defend well, denying any attempt by the Lumberjacks.
Hazlett finished with five shots to lead the Pilots offensively, while Carter, a freshman forward who was solid in her collegiate debut, had two attempts. Ries and Larkin Russell each claimed five shots on the night.
Portland senior goalkeeper Rachel Lusby begins her final season on The Bluff with the clean sheet. Benham recorded three saves, with one coming on a shot by Hazlett from point-blank range in the 11th minute.
French (1995-98) was an All-American defender with the Pilots, and she was a finalist for National Player of the Year as a senior in 1998. She led the Pilots to three NCAA Final Four appearances as a player, including the NCAA title game in 1995, and she spent the past 12 years coaching in the U.S. Soccer system, most recently as an assistant with the senior national team.
The Pilots next remain at home when they host the San Jose State Spartans next Friday night at Merlo Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., and the game is part of a double header with the Portland men. Friday's contest will also be preceded by the always popular Bite on the Bluff, which will take place in the adjacent Chiles Center Plaza.
