Four different Pilots tally goals, but Christine Sinclair’s goal-scoring streak is capped at 17 games.

PORTLAND, Ore. - No. 2 Portland raced to a 5-0 victory over San Diego in West Coast Conference women’s soccer action Sunday afternoon in front of 2,198 fans at Merlo Field. Four separate Pilots found the back of the net and an own goal accounted for the fifth goal as Portland (16-0-1, 4-0-1 WCC) inched closer to a WCC regular season title with the win. San Diego (4-11-1, 1-4-0 WCC) falls to 0-7 against ranked opposition on the season.

Natalie Budge, Megan Rapinoe, Michele Scifo and Lindsey Huie provided the goals, but senior striker Christine Sinclair was limited to three shot attempts and did not score a goal for the first time this season. Her NCAA record goal-scoring streak of 17 games - dating back to the final game of the 2004 season - was halted on the same day that Penn State’s Tiffany Weimer matched the record.

With the game in hand, Sinclair’s teammates visibly tried to put her in scoring positions, but the ever-modest Canadian striker played the way she always does...the right way.

"She’s so unselfish," said Megan Rapinoe. "We were trying to set her up and it was almost like we were saying ‘just take every ball and go,’ but that’s not her style."

"Everyone on the team wanted her to score a goal more than she did," added senior Colleen Salisbury. "She is so team-oriented, which is a tribute to how great of a player she is."

Portland dominated play throughout and only surrendered one shot attempt for the match. The Pilots put all eight of their first half shot attempts on goal, scoring three times.

Budge scored the first goal of the game in the 16th minute on an assist from sophomore defender Stephanie Lopez. Budge received the pass in the left side of the box with a her back to the goal. She spun to her left, took one touch and then netted her fourth goal of 2005 to the low right.

Rapinoe scored her ninth goal of the season at 41:00 after some tight passing left her unmarked in the penalty area. Lindsey Huie and Angie Woznuk exchanged passes before Woznuk toed the ball to Rapinoe. With only USD keeper Brittany Cameron to beat, Rapinoe deposited the ball into the left netting for the 2-0 lead.

Scifo came off of the bench to provide Portland its third first half goal. Sinclair played a ball wide left to Rapinoe who created space and sent a service to the middle. Sinclair headed the ball on to the far post where an unmarked Scifo tapped in for her third goal of the season.

In the 53rd minute, Portland benefitted from an own goal on a dangerous cross from Scifo. Torero defender Christina Carriaga attempted to clear the ball but instead re-directed it to the near post for a 4-0 Portland lead.

Huie capped the scoring in the 63rd minute as Rapinoe set up the strike. Huie’s bullet from 15 yards found the right side netting for her third goal of the 2005 season.

Portland finished with a 13-1 edge in shots, efficiently putting 11 attempts on frame. Cameron did her part in goal for the Toreros, stopping five shots, while reserve keeper Karen Cook made one save in the final 25 minutes. Portland goalies Cori Alexander and Ruth Gilliam did not have to make a save in earning the team’s 11 shutout of the season.

Following a classic 3-1 victory against No. 5 Santa Clara on Friday, Portland coach Garrett Smith was pleased with his team’s focus on Sunday.

"We told the team after Friday’s win that they had 10 minutes to enjoy the victory and then it was time to focus on San Diego," said Smith. "This was our last two-game weekend of the regular season, so we viewed it as an opportunity to prepare for the first weekend of the playoffs with that same type of schedule in place. You can’t ask for anything more, they played phenomenal both nights."

Portland will travel to San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 30 for a 1 p.m. match against the Dons. The Pilots will then conclude the regular season at home against Saint Mary’s on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.

NOTES: The assist for Huie was the 46th of her career, moving her into sole possession of second-place in Portland history - Justi Baumgardt is the all-time leader with 50 ... Huie’s 12 assists this year lead the WCC ... Sinclair’s assist was the 30th of her career and 230th career point (seventh in NCAA DI history) ... Rapinoe now has nine goals and eight assists for 26 total points, tops of any WCC freshman ... Sinclair was forced to the sidelines for about three minutes during the first period after turning her right ankle, but returned to the pitch after getting it re-taped.

                          Soccer Game Summary (Final)
                          2005 Portland Women's Soccer
           San Diego vs #2 Portland (Oct 23, 2005 at Portland, Ore.)

 San Diego (4-11-1, 1-4-0 WCC) vs. Portland (16-0-1, 4-0-1 WCC)
 Date: Oct 23, 2005  Attendance: 2198
 Weather: overcast

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 San Diego...........  0  0 -  0
 Portland............  3  2 -  5
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  15:46 POR BUDGE, Natalie (4) (LOPEZ, Stephanie) - 12yds, from left to low right
  2.  41:00 POR RAPINOE, Megan (9) (HUIE, Lindsey;WOZNUK, Angie) - 10yds, to left side
  3.  43:49 POR SCIFO, Michele (3) (RAPINOE, Megan;SINCLAIR, Christine) - cross headed on, far post finish
  4.  52:12 POR OWN GOAL (unassisted) - own goal
  5.  62:27 POR HUIE, Lindsey (3) (RAPINOE, Megan) - 15yds from center to rt side

 Shots: San Diego 1, Portland 13
 Saves: San Diego 6 (CAMERON, Brittany 5; COOK, Karen 1), Portland 0