NORFOLK - The Northeast Hawks started its season strong on Sunday morning, powering past the South Suburban Bulldogs 6-2.

After a scoreless 10 minutes, the Bulldog's struck gold first after Charlene Mendoza's bending shot blazed past the Hawks keeper for a goal.

Northeast answered back in the 35th minute after Helena Chetcuti had a deep shot of her own that dropped in for a score.

After a 1-1 break at the half, the Hawks came out firing, scoring three unanswered goals by Talia Sanders (58'), Olivia McDonald (60') and Sanders again (74').

The Bulldogs would nab another goal Zamara Killis just a minute later to make it 5-2.

Talia Sanders scored her third goal in the 82nd minute and finished off the scoring spree for the Hawks in the 6-2 win.

All of the goals scored for the Hawks came from players representing Australia and New Zealand. Talia Sander's hat trick gave her the News Channel Nebraska "Player of the Game" honors.

The win gives the Hawks their first on the year and will look to carry the momentum into Thursday's game against Jones College, the very same team that knocked them out in the National Tournament a year ago.