SEATTLE — Host Washington scored early to put visiting Sacramento State in an early hole and then added two more goals 96 seconds apart in the second half on Thursday night, handing the Hornets a 3-0 defeat in the regular season opener for both teams at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle.

Amassing six corners on the night, Sacramento State could not muster much more against last year's NCAA Tournament runner-up, managing only a single shot on Michael Gonzalez's volley off a set piece that sailed over the net in the 58th minute. Washington, meanwhile, took 18 shots on the evening and put seven on frame in addition to seven corners of their own.

Christian Soto opened the scoring off a pass from Chris Meyers at the 12:20 mark for a 1-0 lead that stood for the remainder of the half. Soto then added a second in the 67th minute followed by Lucas Meek's first of the year at the 67:46 mark that made it a 3-0 contest and put the match out of reach.

Sophomore goalkeeper Mac Learned finished with three saves on the night, including a pair of point-blank stops on back-to-back attempts in the 80th minute and punching another over the crossbar on a looping attempt in the 89th minute.

Sacramento State returns to Hornet Soccer Field on Sunday (Aug. 28) at 4 p.m., hosting San Jose State in its home opener as the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team, which hosts Cal Poly at 1 p.m.