Chris Cortez scored a hat trick to lead Phoenix Rising FC to its first win of the season, a 4-1 victory over Oklahoma City Energy FC Saturday night in front of 6,828 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, the second-largest crowd in team history.

STARTING XI (4-3-3) (SUBS): GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Amadou Dia (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), Mike da Fonte (C), Devonte Dubose (R); MF- Kevon Lambert, Colin Fernandez, Gladson Awako (Lucca Ricci, 74); F- Solomon Asante (Alessandro Riggi 90 + 5), Chris Cortez, Jason Johnson.

SUBS NOT USED: GK-Zac Lubin; D- Kody Wakasa, Victor Vasquez; F- Billy Forbes, Kevaughn Frater.

GAME SUMMARY: Phoenix Rising had the better of the chances in the first half of play. In the 10th minute, Solomon Asante played a nice ball into the box, and Chris Cortez tried to play a cute backheel this just missed on the short side. Two minutes later, Asante played a cross into the box where Jason Johnson just missed a header back post. Phoenix Rising would get on the board in the 28th minute when Asante used his speed to get in behind the OKC Energy defense and rocketed a ball in the upper near 90 to beat Matt Van Ockel for a 1-0 lead. Johnson almost doubled the lead six minutes later, but Van Ockel made a big save short side to keep it 1-0. Phoenix doubled the lead in the 45 minute when Kevon Lambert headed a ball to Chris Cortez, who rifled a ball past Van Ockel for the 2-0 lead.

Phoenix would up the lead to 3-0 when Colin Fernandez threw a cross to the head of Cortez, who hit it right past Van Ockel. Oklahoma City would strike back when Christian Ibeagha would slot a rebound past Carl Woszczynski to get them on the board and make it 3-1. Cortez would complete the hat trick in extra time, getting a great ball from substitute Luca Ricci and headed it past Van Ockel for the final goal of the evening.

UP NEXT: Phoenix Rising travels to Nevada to take on Reno 1868 FC. Game time is at 4 p.m. Arizona time.