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NCAA women's scores NCAA women Rapinoe's pair propels Portland past Stanford 3-0 in opener. Megan Rapinoe (3) celebrates her second goal of the evening with Natalie Budge, who assisted her. -- University of Portland web site photo -- PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 27, 2005) -- Midfielder Megan Rapinoe scored twice, while striker Christine Sinclair added a third, all in the first half, powering No. 4 Portland to a 3-0 victory over 13th-ranked Stanford tonight at Merlo Field before 4,420, the fifth largest crowd in UP history. In the season opener for both schools, Portland dominated early and finished with a 20-3 edge in shot attempts. Rapinoe, a freshman who was red-shirted for the 2004 collegiate season so she could play for the United States in the women's Under-19 FIFA World Championships, turned in a stellar effort in the midfield throughout the game. She put the Pilots on the board less than five minutes into the action, finishing a cross from senior midfielder Lindsey Huie. Six minutes later, Sinclair, a senior, tallied her 72nd career goal, following sophomore forward Natalie Budge's header attempt which had ricocheted off the crossbar. Portland's Christine Sinclair (left) is a step ahead of Stanford's Allison Falk. -- University of Portland web site photo -- Rapinoe capped the scoring in the 33rd minute. Senior defender Kelsy Hollenbeck made a run down the right sideline and sent a cross to Budge just inside the penalty area. Budge back-heeled the ball to an unmarked Rapinoe for an easy header. "It was nice to get that first goal early and get the jitters out of the way," Rapinoe said. "It was all down hill from there. Scoring goals is easy when you get set up with great passing and I was on the end of some incredible assists today." Despite winning by three, the Pilots missed on several other scoring opportunities and were denied by the goal frame on three occasions. The Pilots tallied 10 shots each half and put seven shots on goal for the match compared to Stanford's two. UP junior goalkeeper Cori Alexander made a diving tip save in the first half on a bullet from Cardinal midfielder Leah Tapscott, but was unchallenged thereafter in recording her 22nd career shutout. The attendance of 4,420 was the fifth largest in Portland history. -- University of Portland web site photo -- The attendance figure was the highest total since September 9, 1997 when the Pilots and Notre Dame drew 5,041 fans. "There is no crowd in the country like this," UP junior defender Kari Evans said. "They give us so much energy and make it so difficult on opposing teams. It's unbelievable." "You can't not notice (the fan support)," Rapinoe added. "I think that I heard the drum squad practicing yesterday and today across campus. What an amazing experience." ©Copyright 2005 SoccerTimes.com. All Rights Reserved