ERIE — Things can happen in the blink of an eye in a soccer match.

Just ask Erie coach Jeff Vigil.

Before the Tigers boss could plant himself on the bench on Tuesday night against Longmont, his Tigers were already up 1-0 on the Trojans.

"Honestly, I was still looking for a place to sit and getting things organized," said Vigil, who missed the goal in the first 11 seconds, but witnessed the next seven in a 8-0 rout for his squad.

It was a result Erie (1-0-1) needed after their season opener 12 days ago against Centaurus ended in a 1-1 double overtime draw.

"We needed it to get our spirits up a little bit," said junior McKenna Harrington, who opened the scoring just 11 seconds into the match. "Centaurus surprised us a lot and I don't think we were ready to be thrown into such quality competition so quickly.

"We were so new to each other, and a result like this is good for our chemistry and getting used to each other."

The Tigers big-time scoring threats of Harrington, Alicia Cardenas and Alison McNeal each scored twice against the Trojans, who drop to 0-5.

The opening goal, on a ball over the top of the Longmont defense by McNeal, was right on the money to Harrington. She was able to finish past Trojans keeper Franchesska Ramirez — who could only stand at the top of her box and wonder what just happened.

To Longmont's credit, they didn't just bury their heads and accept their fate in the opening minutes. On several occasions in the opening 10 minutes, they had quality equalizing chances — notably from senior Samantha Wiley — but Erie goalie Zoe Hatch was up to the challenge.

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Erie would regain possession soon after, and pour it on. McNeal and Harrington would score goals 65 seconds apart in the 17th and 18th minute to make it 3-0 and Cardenas would score her first in the final minute of the first half.

"Just putting the ball in the back of the net, it's good to see that," said Vigil, whose team will play at Skyview on Thursday. "And once you see that, you get your confidence back and hopefully start something."

Cardenas and McNeal would each add a goal in the second half as well as tallies by freshmen Jordan Lund and Emma Maiocco.

"This game allowed us to be more creative and see what kind of shots we can do and see if we can think more outside the box," Harrington said. "It get (the freshmen) connected to us and helps everybody sort of mesh together."

Jon Yunt: yuntj@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/JonEYunt

ERIE 8, LONGMONT 0

At Erie

Longmont (0-5)00—0

Erie (1-0-1)44—8

Goals (assists) — Erie: McKenna Harrington (unassisted), 1st minute; Alison McNeal (Harrington), 17th; Harrington (McNeal), 18th; Alicia Cardenas (unassisted), 40th; Cardenas (unassisted), 43rd; McNeal (unassisted), 46th; Jordan Lund (Mariah Veve), 69th; Emma Maiocco (unassisted), 76th.

Goalies (Min-Goals allowed-Saves) — Longmont: Franchesska Ramirez (80-8-4); Erie: Zoe Hatch (40-0-5), Josie Reid (40-0-2).