NAMPA, Idaho – For just the fourth time in Northwest Nazarene women's soccer history the team has won its first three matches.

The Nighthawks defeated Minnesota Crookston 5-0 on Monday in a nonconference match at NNU Field.

The undefeated run matches the starts in 2001, 2002 and 2004, though all of those involved defeating NAIA teams. In 2018, the Nighthawks are 3-0 against NCAA Division II teams.

"It's an awesome start," NNU's Maddy Parton said. "We are definitely pushing to be better as a whole team."

Parton, a transfer from Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Wash., has been a big reason why. The forward has three goals, including two Monday.

"Coming in as a junior transfer it is definitely difficult," she said, "but our team is totally welcoming and the chemistry is great. I feel totally at home here and I love it."

It's easier to feel at home when your younger sister plays for the team as well. Ashley Parton, a freshman from Leavenworth, Wash., scored her first collegiate goal Monday.

"It was awesome," Maddy Parton said. "I was jumping and clapping. I loved it."

Parton has the track record to have a monster season for the Nighthawks. At Peninsula, she scored 19 goals and had 18 assists, finishing her two-year career in the top five in points in school history.

"She works hard and finds herself in the right spots," NNU coach Mary Trigg said. "When she is going at somebody she is super dangerous. She is physical and athletics and that is a good combination."

The Nighthawks dominated throughout, outshooting the Golden Eagles 16-0 on shots on goal. Brooke Felzien scored in the 15th, Maddy Parton in the 22nd and 49th, Madi Taylor on a penalty kick in the 39th and Ashley Parton in the 82nd.

"It is going to get harder and harder that is for sure," Trigg said. "I'm proud of our girls. We are not dropping off when we sub, so that is awesome. We have more depth than we've ever had."

The Nighthawks hit the road this week, playing Thursday at Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D. and Saturday at Minot State in Minot, N.D.