PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland held a 17-4 shot advantage and controlled most of the match, but fell to visiting Loyola Marymount 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field in West Coast Conference men’s soccer action. L.J. Reinhardt scored his first goal of the season as 22nd-ranked LMU (9-5-3, 7-1-1 WCC) remained in first place in the conference standings with the win, while Portland (9-6-1, 4-4-1 WCC) had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Reinhardt finished a free kick taken by Armando Melendez in the 14th minute to put the Lions on top. The cross was headed on by Bobby Burling to the far post, where Reinhardt tapped in the game winner for an easy five-yard finish. It was LMU’s second shot of the half, and they would not record another attempt until the 77th minute.

Portland, meanwhile, nearly equalized in the 16th minute as Heath Pearce sent a corner kick to Matthew Dallman at the top of the box. Dallman’s shot went off the crossbar to Josh Brown, who’s shot was saved by LMU keeper Robert Flores. Pilot striker Christopher Sanders had another shot to the open goal off the rebound cleared off the line by Reinhardt for his second big play of the day.

After taking an 8-2 shot edge into the break, the Pilots came out firing in the second period as well, racking up nine shots to LMU’s two. Portland looked to have the game tied in the 56th minute as Miguel Guante was freed up just outside the goal box, but his shot over the head of Flores was also denied by the crossbar.

Portland’s 17-4 shot edge, and 10 corner kicks came up with no goals in the end as the Lions escaped with the 1-0 shutout. Flores made three saves in goal for LMU, while Melendez tallied his team-leading seventh assist.

Dallman led Portland with five shot attempts, while Sanders and Sean Babcock had four and three attempts, respectively.

Seniors Paul Robinson and Brian Cotlove were honored prior to the match, the final regular season home game scheduled for the Pilots.

Portland finishes its 2004 regular season with a four-game road trip. Next weekend, the Pilots will visit California on Friday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m., then take on Santa Clara on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. Portland will face San Francisco and Saint Mary’s the following weekend.