PORTLAND, Ore.- Jessica Heller’s first goal of the season held up as the game-winner in Portland’s 1-0 win over the Pacific Tigers. The Pilots shutout their fourth straight opponent and improve to 8-2-0 on the season, the Tigers fall to 1-7-1 overall.

Heller’s score came at 21:30 on a perfectly placed strike from 20 yards. Sophomore Kelsy Hollenbeck centered to Heller who blasted the ball over the head of Tiger keeper Eryn Kishimoto. Hollenbeck recorded her second career assist, and first of the 2003 campaign.

The Pilots gave up only four shots in the game, and Portland goalie Cori Alexander made two recreational saves for her eighth shutout of the year. Alexander had another impressive performance in net though, putting to rest a few potential scoring threats in the second half.

With under 30 minutes left in the match, Alexander jumped on a loose ball in the box right before the Tiger offense had a chance to make a play. Alexander made a few such plays in preserving the win.

Portland had a flurry of shots in a one-minute span with under 16 minutes left in regulation. Following a Kristen Moore corner, Jennifer Tuttle unleashed three consecutive shots, two blocked and one knocked of the line by a Tiger defender. Wanda Rozwadowska then rifled a shot past the right post.

The Pilots held a 17-4 shot advantage, with five on goal. Tuttle led Portland with five shots. The Pilots possessed the ball a great deal more than Pacific, but the Tigers wouldn’t let the game get out of hand.

Portland was without Lindsey, Huie who missed her second straight game, Angie Woznuk and Christine Sinclair (Canadian World Cup Team).

“It was all in all a good result,” said Pilot coach Garrett Smith. “We had lots of injuries, our bus ran out of gas on the way home from Washington last night, and being half way through the season takes its toll on the players. It showed a little in our performance, but we got the job done.”

UP NEXT: The Pilots go to Oregon on Fri., Oct. 3 for a 7:00 p.m. match against the Ducks. Portland returns home on Sat., Oct. 4 to host Oregon State, start time is set for 3:30 p.m.