Melchie Dumornay scores three to leads Lyon’s 7-1 demolition of Fleury

Haitian international Melchie Dumornay scored a first-half hat trick Friday as defending champion OL Lyonnes crushed FC Fleury 91 7-1 in the opening match of the French Première Ligue Féminine season.

Dumornay, 23, put Lyon in control with goals in the 11th, 40th and 45+2nd minutes, torching Fleury’s defense.

Lyon opened the scoring through Tarciane in the third minute, but Fleury answered quickly, pulling level in the ninth. Dumornay’s opener in the 11th restored Lyon’s lead for good. An own goal in the 28th minute and a strike from Vicki Bècho in the 31st, forced after pressure on Fleury defender Léna Goetsch, put the match out of reach before halftime. Substitute Julie Swierot added a seventh goal in the 71st minute.

The result sends an early statement from Lyon, last season’s champion, as it begins its title defense. Fleury finished fifth in France’s top flight a year ago.

“It’s going to count for real starting Friday,” Dumornay had said ahead of kickoff, according to Olympique-et-Lyonnais.com.

Lyon’s official account celebrated the result on social media: “Sept buts. Trois points. Magnifique” (Seven goals. Three points. Magnificent).

Lyon will play its home opener against Paris FC, last season’s runner-up, at the Groupama Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12.