ASHLAND – Thanks in large part to Ava Johnson, the Southern Oregon women's soccer team put up its highest opening-game goal total in 12 years to defeat Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) 5-0 on Saturday morning at Raider Stadium's Laurel Field.

Johnson, a sophomore forward, turned in a career-best five-point game with two goals and an assist, becoming the first SOU underclassman to do so since 2016. She and the Raiders generated 24 shots with 16 on target.

Junior forward Brooklyn Hayes came off the bench to add a goal and an assist. After Johnson put the Raiders in front with an assist from freshman Macie Yannoni in the 24th minute, Hayes passed to Frida Vargas in the 39th to give the Raiders a 2-0 halftime edge.

Johnson struck again in the 54th, then assisted Carter O'Shea in the 60th. Hayes scored the capper in the 79th, taking an assist from Miller Bertani.

Bertani, a senior defender, also led a back line that surrendered only three shots. The Redhawks (0-2-0) didn't generate a single one in the second half.

Two keepers making their SOU debuts, freshman Issy Rutherford and senior Brittany Standley, shared the shutout. Rutherford corralled two first-half saves.

The Raiders have blanked their opponents in four of their last five openers and won three in a row.

They'll scrimmage twice next week before playing their next counter Aug. 31 at Simpson (Calif.). They return home Sept. 4 for a matchup with Hope International (Calif.).