PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland women's soccer team continued its strong start to the 2016 season with a 6-0 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds Friday night before 2,062 fans in the late game of the Nike Invitational at Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.

The Pilots (3-1-2) struck for three goals within the first 30 minutes to set the tone early.

Freshman Kimberly Hazlett put the Pilots on top 1-0 in the fourth minute when she collected a rebound off the post and slotted her shot home for the first goal of her collegiate career. Fellow freshman Natalie Muth was credited with her first career assist.

Portland doubled the margin in the 27th minute when juniors Jess Kennedy and Hannah Griffiths Boston combined for a goal. Kennedy sprung Griffiths Boston free down the right side and then made a spirited run into the box. Griffiths Boston led her into space and Kennedy took one touch before finishing inside the right post from 12 yards out.

Griffiths Boston then added to her team-lead in goals scored this season with a beauty in the 30th minute. Muth led her towards the top of the box and Griffiths Boston stopped the ball as a defender flew by. She then curled a 20-yard shot into the upper right corner for her sixth goal of the young season.

The flood gates opened in the second half when junior Maddie Dieker came off the bench and scored a pair of goals within 21 seconds of each other in the 69th minute. The first came following a deep run into the left side of the box by senior Ellie Boon. She sent a short cross to Dieker at the near post who tapped it past SUU goalkeeper Destiny Collins.

Dieker then stole the ball on the restart and found sophomore Hanna Armendariz down the right side. Armendariz floated a cross towards the center of the box and Dieker flew in with a firm header into the upper right of the goal for a 5-0 lead.

Portland capped the scoring in the 87th minute as sophomore Lauren Marin recorded her first career goal. Freshmen Rachel Khaw and Brianna Miyama provided the assists.

The Pilots outshot Southern Utah (0-4-1) by a 15-5 margin. Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Lusby recorded the shutout in her first start of the season.

Portland will conclude the Nike Invitational on Sunday against St. John's at 2:30 p.m. The Red Storm (4-0-3) tied Washington, 0-0, in Friday's early game. Sunday's match will be broadcast on www.TheW.tv and produced by the Portland Sports Network.