LINCOLN, Neb – A record-breaking player abruptly ended the ISU women’s soccer team’s record-breaking season, as Christine Sinclair’s hat trick paced Portland to a 5-0 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Things quickly spiraled out of control for the Cyclones (11-7-3), and the Pilots wasted no time demonstrating why they are the top-ranked team in the nation.

Using precision passing and a deadly accurate shot selection, Portland scored four goals in the first 16 minutes of the game.

Sinclair showed why she is arguably the best player in the nation, tallying three of those goals and an assist. Her first goal set her apart in history, breaking a tie for second-place on the NCAA all-time goal list.

She moved past former Olympic soccer star Mia Hamm, and currently leads the country in scoring.

Sinclair is Portland’s main weapon, but ISU coach Rebecca Hornbacher was quick to point out the Pilots (19-0-1) are not a one-dimensional team.

“She’s not their only weapon. They have such a dangerous supporting cast,” Hornbacher said. “They can score a lot of goals and have only given up six all season. We couldn’t get it in the back of the net. We had some chances, and they capitalized on theirs. That’s a great team.”

Iowa State was able to get off six shots on goal – four of those by junior Kate Kirwan – but the Cyclones shots were stopped.

Sinclair assisted the first goal of the game with a perfect cross five minutes into the game, then scored two minutes later. Portland scored two goals in a 24-second span 16 minutes into the game.

“You look at them and see their strengths, their offense is obviously one of the best in the nation,” said goalkeeper Joanna Haig. “We prepared our defense the week before, and I think we did a good job preparing, but I think you just have to go out there and kind of hope for the best.”

Haig had nine saves on the game, but was rendered helpless by Portland’s offense. The Pilots are vying for their first NCAA championship title since 2002, when Sinclair led the team to the title on her way to being named Player of the Year.

“There were a lot of moments of brilliance out there. That’s what this team is all about,” said Portland coach Garrett Smith.

As for the Cyclones, the loss ended a historical season and the collegiate careers of four players. Starters Deb Benakis, Amy Flores and Kristina Baumann, along with reserve Leslie Hansell, played their final games for Iowa State.

Hornbacher said they were key not only in this season’s success, but in the development and growing success of the ISU soccer program. The Cyclones set school records this season for most Big 12 wins with six and best conference finish (tie for second), and earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

“I started with the program with these seniors that are here,” Hornbacher said. “This means a lot for me to be a part of this with them, helping them and seeing them grow with the team.

“They have laid the foundation for this program, and they have built on it. They have had very high goals for our team this year, and we have met many of them. We have done things that people didn’t think we could do. We made the NCAA Tournament and that is really a credit to them.”

Baumann, who was the Cyclones’ team MVP three years ago as a freshman, said ultimately she was happy with the season.

“I’m disappointed, but I’m still glad to have had an opportunity to play them,” she said. “I’ve never gotten a chance to play a team like this. It’s been an up-and-down season, but as a team, I think we came together at the end.

“It’s been phenomenal. I’m so glad and so proud to have been a part of this.”