CHENEY, Wash. – Junior forward Savannah Hoekstra capped off an historic afternoon at the EWU Soccer Field on Monday, as she scored her third goal of the game in the 89th minute to give the Eagles a thrilling 3-2 victory over Utah State to move to 2-0-0 on the year.

Hoekstra accounted for all three Eastern tallies on Monday, as the Liberty Lake, Washington native becomes just the third player in program history to record a hat trick. She also becomes just the eighth player in program history to post double-digit goals in her career, as she is now in a tie for sixth on EWU's all-time goals list with 11.

The Eagles kicked off the game with a clear offensive focus, pressuring the Aggies goalie with a shot on goal within the first two minutes of play. That offensive mindset got EWU on the board in the ninth minute, as Hoekstra collected a through ball from junior Chloe Williams in front of an open net to score her first goal of the day. She would score again 10 minutes later, nearly in similar fashion, as a scramble ensued in front of the Utah State goal. The forward was able to locate the ball and strike it past the USU goalie to give Eastern a 2-0 less than 20 minute into the game.

Utah State got on the board in the 31st minute off a free kick from Jessica Brooksby just feet away from the 18-yard box to make it 2-1. That score would remain intact until the 73rd minute when The Aggies found the equalizer thanks to Jay Robison-Merrill's first goal of the season.

With regulation winding down, Hoekstra strung together a pair of impressive touches to get into the 18-yard box. Once there, she targeted her shot towards to the far side of the goal to beat the Utah State goalie to score the game winner with just a minute left on the clock.

Win-Loss Record: Eastern Washington improves to 2-0-0 on the young season, while Utah State falls to 1-1-0.

What it Means: Today's victory earned Eastern just its second 2-0-0 start in program history. Last season was the last time the Eagles began the year with two straight wins, after defeating UTEP and New Mexico State.

Keys to the Game: Savannah Hoekstra led the Eagles to victory with one of the best offensive performances in school history. She dominated the pitch today by scoring three goals on five shots. She becomes just the third player in EWU history to record a hat trick.

Senior goalkeeper Mallory Taylor earned three saves on the afternoon to keep the Aggies to only two goals, while USU, a defensive-minded program, only tallied one save.

Top Performers: Junior Savannah Hoekstra scored three goals, two unassisted, already giving her six points just two games into the season. She is already more than half way to her last year's points total.

Sophomore Devan Talley kept the offensive pressure going against Utah State's defense with three total shots and two on goal. She also recorded an assist on the first goal of the match. 

Turning Point: In the 89th minute, Hoekstra came through in the clutch dribbling inside the 18-yard box on the right through multiple defenders before kicking a perfect shot that went past the goalkeeper landing inside the left part of the net, clinching the contest in favor of the Eagles.

Team Highlights: Mallory Taylor played a great game in between the post. Several times throughout the day she was able to make a correct read and came off her line numerous times to prevent Utah State from getting a shot attempt inside the six-yard box.

In the 71st minute, redshirt freshman Maia Inniss had a spectacular stick just feet in front of the 18-yard box to prevent the Aggies from a 1-v-1 situation.

Eastern Washington outshot Utah State, with 11 shots by the Eagles compared to 10 by the Aggies.

Notables: By scoring three times today, junior Savannah Hoekstra joins Whitney Brannan and Cassie Black as the only players to every record a hat trick at Eastern Washington. Brannan was the first to accomplish the feat at South Dakota State on Sept. 19, 2010, while Black was the last EWU player to score three goals in one game back on Oct. 5, 2013 against North Dakota. It is also the 38th hat trick recorded in Big Sky history.

Today's win breaks a 3-3-0 all-time series tie with Utah State, as the Eagles are now 4-3-0 against the Aggies. Eastern also moves to 7-28-4 all-time against the Mountain West. Monday's victory also marks the first time EWU has defeated a MWC team since 2012, when the Eagles defeated Boise State, 3-1.

Savannah Hoekstra's hat trick now gives her 11 goals in her career at Eastern. She is now tied for sixth on the program's all-time goals list with Jennie Summer (2002-05). The Liberty Lake, Washington native also became just the eighth player in program history to record double-digit goals in her career.

Chloe Williams picked up an assist on Hoekstra's first goal to push her career assist total to 13. Williams already entered this season as the program's all-time leader in assists. She also collected her 49th career point, putting her just six behind Cassie Black's career record of 55.

Senior goalie Mallory Taylor recorded three saves today, which brings her career total to 92 saves. She surpasses Lisa Dimak (2009-10) for eighth on the all-time saves list. Dimak recorded 91 career saves in two seasons with Eastern.

Devin Talley's assist is her first of the year and moves her into a tie for 13th on the all-time assists list with four.

Bodnar Bites: On the Victory: "We started off really well. It was probably the best 20 minutes we've played to open a game this season. The goals were well deserved, but I thought we fell off a bit afterwards and let them get back into the game. We have to string together a total 90-minute performance, and when we do that we'll be in good shape."

On Team's Second-Straight 2-0-0 Start: "We always want to start well, but it's more important to finish well. The 2-0-0 start is great, you always want to start the season with wins, especially at home. Our focus is towards the end of the season, and making sure we peak and we're the best we can be at that time."

On Hoekstra's performance: "Savvy always works hard and she scores a lot of grit-goals, which she did twice today. The last goal she created on her own by running past people. She is a great kid, always works hard and we appreciate her efforts today."

What's Next: Eastern Washington goes on the road for the first time this season, looking to improve on its 2-0-0 record at the UNLV tournament. EWU's first match is against UC Davis on Friday, August 26 starting at 4 p.m. PST.

For more information on the Eastern Washington women's soccer team, follow @EWUSoccer on Twitter.