Box Score
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- Portland freshman Jaime Velasco scored the game-winner in the 80th minute and junior goalkeeper Justin Baarts came up with a huge save on a PK as the Pilots notched a 2-1 road win over the Loyola Marymount Lions in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer match played at Sullivan Field on Sunday afternoon. It’s the second goal this season for Velasco and his first collegiate game-winner.
Velasco’s goal came after both Baarts and LMU keeper Paul Blanchette denied a PK early in the second half. With the score tied 1-1, the Lions were awarded a free attempt in the 56th minute. LMU’s Pedro Velazquez stepped up to take the PK, but Baarts was up for the challenge as his clutch save kept the score even.
But Blanchette was able to return the favor six minutes later when he stopped the PK attempt from Portland’s Steven Evans.
It was then with just 11 minutes left to play in regulation when Velasco buried a shot from the top of the box. Velasco hit it just right and snuck it inside the far post to give the late lead to the Pilots. Ricardo Carrillo picked up an assist on the game-winner, his team-best fourth assist of the season.
The Lions then searched for the equalizer, but Baarts registered another save and Mason McDowell pushed a shot wide in the 86th minute.
Baarts totaled six stops for the game on 13 LMU shots. The Pilots were efficient with their shots, placing five on-frame out of eight total attempts.
Luc Brubaker gave LMU the lead in the 14th minute when he found the back of the net, but Portland was able to equalize when Colin Anderson scored his second goal of the fall just before the end of the first half. UP’s Hugo Rhoads sent a ball into the area on a free kick, and Keith Grubisich was able to head the ball to Anderson. The senior then easily sent a shot past Blanchette.
Portland evens its overall record to 5-5-1 with the win, while improving to 3-1-0 in the WCC. LMU drops to 3-7-2 overall and to 1-2-1 in the conference.
The Pilots next return home to host a pair of WCC matches at Merlo Field next weekend. First on Friday night, Santa Clara visits for a 7 p.m. game. Saint Mary’s then comes to The Bluff for a 1 p.m. match on Sunday.
