SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- Portland (8-4) came out energized in San Diego as the Pilots got on the board early to defeat the Toreros (4-5-1) 4-1. Sophomore Taryn Ries increased her goals to eight on the year with a hat trick to comfortably secure Michelle French's first WCC win as Portland head coach.

To start of the evening, junior Kimberly Hazlett finished a well-placed header off a corner from Larkin Russell in the second minute to secure the 1-0 lead, which Portland would maintain through the half.

The Pilots then had several more chances the score as the first half went on, with the most promising chance coming from freshman Madison Carter in the 18^th minute. Carter was able to get behind the Torero defense to take a shot from about 10 yards out, but San Diego's Amber Michel came up big to record the save and force the ball out for a Portland corner.

Defensively, the Pilots were solid though the first 45 minutes, clearing several attacks from the Toreros before they could even threaten Portland's final third. However, Sophomore Olivia Dendinger was able to contain the most threatening attack of the half from the Toreros, blocking a 1v1 break away and shot.

Coming out of the locker room in the second half, the Toreros came out flying with high pressure. For the first 10 minutes, Portland did well to absorb multiple USD attacks, but eventually gave up a PK. The Toreros capitalized on the opportunity to level the score 1-1.
Junior Natalie Muth and Ries answered moments later rushing the San Diego defense with a series of passing combinations to get into their box. Ries then slotted one away to give the lead back to the Pilots 2-1.

With Portland finding new momentum, Kelley Carusa fouled Ries in the 65^th minute on a breakaway, resulting with a red card shown to Carusa to give the Pilots a PK of their own. Ries stepped up to finish the shot to push the Pilots forward to a comfortable lead.

Moments later, Ries kept on the attack with another hard shot that would rattle San Diego's cross bar. She then completed a hat trick on the night by finishing the second PK of the match, which was awarded to Portland in the 72^nd minute, marking her eighth goal of the year.
Portland scored four of their seven shots on goal in the match and senior Rachel Lusby also recorded two saves.

The Pilots next host Saint Mary's and Pacific on Merlo field for their WCC home opener. Portland will first face Saint Mary's on Friday night at 7 p.m.