PORTLAND, Ore. – The University of Portland’s men’s soccer team played the role of spoiler on Saturday night, grinding out a 1-0 victory over No. 11 Santa Clara on Senior Night at Merlo Field. Freshman striker Alex Elliott provided the only score as the Pilots (6-11-2, 3-8-1 WCC) close the season by beating the Broncos (12-6-2, 6-4-2 WCC) for the fourth time in the last six meetings.
Santa Clara’s loss, combined with San Francisco’s win over Gonzaga, gives USF the WCC regular-season title. Santa Clara came into the weekend with a four-point lead atop the WCC standings, but suffered setbacks against both Gonzaga and Portland.
Saturday’s game was the second consecutive rainy, physical match played at Merlo Field. Five yellow cards were distributed during the game in addition to a combined 34 foul calls.
A long pass on the right side from senior defender Brian Cotlove gave Elliott a one-on-one opportunity with Bronco keeper Kevin Sweeney in the 40th minute. Elliott buried a shot in the lower left corner, scoring what proved to be the game-winner for the Pilots. The assist gave Cotlove his first career point in his final collegiate contest.
Elliott finishes the season as Portland’s leading scorer with five goals, including three game-winners. Pilot keeper Luis Robles made three saves in recording his fifth shutout of the season.
Santa Clara held a 16-7 shot advantage for the game, but the Pilots put four shots on frame to the Broncos’ three.
Cotlove, along with fellow seniors John Fastabend, Miguel Guante, Tor Southard, Patrick Mooney and Sean Babcock, were recognized prior to kickoff as part of Senior Night.
