Bree Horvath’s goal in the 11th minute Sunday held up as #7 Santa Clara beat #4 Portland 1-0 in West Coast Conference women’s soccer.

Santa Clara improved to 13-4-1 overall and 5-1-0 in WCC games, while Portland dropped to 14-4-1, 4-2-0 in the WCC. Santa Clara became the only WCC school to own two wins over Portland on Merlo Field.

Portland’s leading scorer, Christine Sinclair, missed the game due to national team duty with Canada in the 2002 Women’s Gold Cup.

The Broncos took advantage of an early defensive breakdown for their goal when Megan Kakadelas won a challenge from Portland’s Kristen Moore just inside the midfield line, then sprung free on the right side. Driving the ball into the box, Kakadelas sent a short cross to the center, finding Horvath running free at the top of the penalty area. Horvath slotted her angled shot to the far post, beating Portland keeper Lauren Arase for the game’s only goal.

The Pilots outshot Santa Clara 13-4 and had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks, but the Pilots’ ineffective finishing led to just six saves by Santa Clara keeper Alyssa Sobolik. Portland had numerous chances inside the Bronco penalty area, but were unable to capitalize.

Lindsey Huie’s 25-yard blast in the 83rd minute was perhaps Portland’s best opportunity, but her shot glanced off the near post and out of play. The Pilots had an 8-1 shot advantage in the second half, but a scrambling Santa Clara defense prevented the Pilots from getting clean shots on goal.

Santa Clara is only the fourth team to have multiple wins in Portland since 1990, joining Notre Dame (4), North Carolina (3) and Virginia (2), and are one of nine teams to have ever won on Merlo Field.

Portland’s regular season concludes Nov. 7 at San Diego.