A night of milestones is unveiled in front of 5,119 fans at Merlo Field as Christine Sinclair nets her 100th career goal and Lindsey Huie breaks the 100-point plateau.
PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland senior forward Christine Sinclair scored two goals and fellow senior All-America Lindsey Huie scored a late insurance goal as the No. 2 Pilots defeated No. 5 Santa Clara, 3-1, Friday night at Merlo Field. A crowd of 5,119 turned out for the epic battle between the two schools which have shared or won every West Coast Conference regular season title in history. With the win, Portland (15-0-1, 3-0-1 WCC) moves ahead of Santa Clara (13-3-1, 3-1-0 WCC) in the conference standings and remains as one of only two unbeaten programs in the nation.
The game had a playoff atmosphere from the outset as a standing-room only crowd brought a unique energy to the event. It marked only the third advanced sellout in school history and the announced attendance is the second largest Merlo Field crowd ever. Nearly 250 fans without a ticket made the trek to the neighboring Chiles Center and viewed a live broadcast of the game courtesy of College Sports Television, while others crowded the outside walls and peaked over for a glimpse of the action. CSTV will air the match in its entirety on Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. (PST)
Sinclair played big on the biggest stage and joined an elite group of goal-scorers with 100 career goals at the NCAA Division I level. She is the sixth player to reach the milestone, joining Danielle Fotopolous, Mia Hamm, Tiffeny Milbrett, Carin Jennings and Lisa Cole on the select list. Her 29 goals this year are one off of the UP single-season record held by Tiffeny Milbrett.
“Going into the game I knew I was two short (of 100 goals), but it did not even register with me what happened after I scored the second goal,” Sinclair said. “The referee handed me the ball and I was like, ‘why are you giving me the ball.’ Then it hit me and all my teammates were so excited...it just seems unreal.”
A model of efficiency and consistency, Sinclair extended her NCAA record goal-scoring streak to 17 games on her first shot of the day in the 35th minute. After chasing down a ball into the left of the penalty area, she shed one SCU defender and sent a low bullet through a maze of defenders and just inside the right post for the 1-0 lead.
The Broncos maintained their composure despite the circumstances and equalized 37 seconds before halftime. Marian Dalmy freed some space down the right sideline and delivered a cross to Tiffany Roberts at the far post. Roberts’ header snuck under the crossbar and over the outstretched glove of UP goalie Cori Alexander.
Sinclair broke the tie in the 53rd minute as roommate and junior midfielder Lisa Sari sprung her into a one-on-one with SCU keeper Julie Ryder. Sinclair took a touch and beat Ryder to the top left from just outside the goal box for the eventual game-winner and historic goal.
Huie capped the scoring in the 81st minute as she got behind the defense on a service from sophomore midfielder Angie Woznuk. Ryder came off her line in an attempt to stop the advance, but Huie deftly touched the ball around Ryder and finished to the open net.
The goal gives Huie 101 career points and moves her into fifth place on the Portland career scoring charts.
Portland put five shot attempts on goal, while Santa Clara had three on frame. Both squads finished the night with eight total shot attempts, the lowest total of the 2005 season for the Pilots.
Although a hard-fought battle throughout, mutual respect was evident on both sides afterwards as yet another chapter was written regarding the storied rivalry.
“Santa Clara was tremendous,” said Sinclair. “(Head Coach) Jerry Smith always has them extremely organized and tonight was no different. This was by far the best game we have played this year and it was such a battle to come out on top.”
“The people who were fortunate enough to be here tonight witnessed a phenomenal soccer game,” Portland coach Garrett Smith added. ‘The fact that this event sold out and hundreds of people still showed up to watch it off-site really shows where women’s college soccer is going. Two great teams took the field tonight and played great soccer. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Except, perhaps, a rematch in early December.
The Pilots return to Merlo Field on Sunday for a 2 p.m. WCC game against the San Diego Toreros.
Santa Clara (13-3-1, 3-1-0 WCC) vs. Portland (15-0-1, 3-0-1 WCC)
Date: Oct 21, 2005 Attendance: 5119
Weather: Clear, mild
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Santa Clara......... 1 0 - 1
Portland............ 1 2 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 34:39 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (28) Corner kick - from left of pk box, rt post
2. 44:23 SCU ROBERTS, Tiffany (3) (DALMY, Marian) - left side off cross from rt
3. 52:03 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (29) (SARI, Lisa) - top left corner, 7 yards
4. 80:05 POR HUIE, Lindsey (2) (WOZNUK, Angie) - one-v-one, five yards
Shots: Santa Clara 8, Portland 8
Saves: Santa Clara 2 (RYDER, Julie 2), Portland 2 (ALEXANDER, Cori 2)
