PORTLAND, Ore. - Saint Mary’s scored two first-half goals then held off Portland’s aggressive attack to win a West Coast Conference match, 2-0, on Friday night at Merlo Field. The Pilots (3-5-1, 1-2 WCC) out-shot the Gaels 16-12 on the night, while the Gaels (5-4-1, 2-1 WCC) held a 7-4 edge in shots on goal.

The Pilots controlled the run of play in the first half but the Gaels made the most of their attacking opportunities and broke through first at the 26 minute mark. SMC’s freshman forward Michael Clegg gained possession about 13 yards out on the right wing. He beat the defender with some nifty foot work and grazed the far post with his shot that was just out of the reach of a diving Luis Robles, UP’s junior goalie. Clegg’s conference-leading eighth goal of the season was assisted by senior Derek Youpel.

SMC took a 2-0 lead when junior defender Alex Christlieb put one in at 29:58. The score came when Carlos Diaz’s throw-in sailed all the way into the goal box from the right sideline about 25 yards out. The ball took one bounce to the far post where Christlieb one touched it inside the left post.

The Pilots had a great opportunity in the 34th minute. Senior midfielder Sean Babcock’s shot from the top of the box deflected off a Gael defender straight into the air where senior forward Patrick Mooney was positioned. Mooney’s header from right in front of the goal hit the cross bar and went out of bounds.

The Gaels had the first good look in the second half but Robles made an impressive save. Sophomore midfielder David Blanchard fired a shot from the top of the box that deflected off a UP defender. Clegg was there to rip another shot but Robles made a leaping save, punching the ball over the cross bar.

UP continued to attack the Saint Mary’s goal throughout the second half. Sophomore midfielder Matthew Dallman got a good look when he fired one from the right wing at SMC keeper Brian Mason who made the save. The shot was set up by a perfect cross from freshman forward Alex Elliott. Then in the 82nd minute, Mason just got a hand on the ball pushing wide a shot from freshman forward Steven Hosseinmardi from five yards out.

Robles ended the night with five saves giving him 215 for his career, fifth-best in school history. Mason stopped four Pilot shots.

The Pilots have a week off before traveling to the Bay Area for a pair of WCC matches. Portland visits Santa Clara to face the No. 5 Broncos on Friday, Oct. 14. UP then travels to San Francisco, Calif., to face the USF Dons on Sunday, Oct. 16.

 Saint Mary's (5-4-1, 2-1-0 WCC) vs. Portland (3-5-1, 1-2-0 WCC)
 Date: Oct 07, 2005  Attendance: 847
 Weather: Mostly Cloudy

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Saint Mary's........  2  0 -  2
 Portland............  0  0 -  0
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  26:00 SMC CLEGG, Michael (8) (YOUPEL, Derek) - 13yds from right to left post
  2.  29:58 SMC CHRISTLIEB, Alex (3) (DIAZ, Carlos) - failed clearance off throw, 5yd finish

 Shots: Saint Mary's 12, Portland 16
 Saves: Saint Mary's 4 (MASON, Brian 4), Portland 5 (ROBLES, Luis 5)