MORAGA, Calif. - Portland freshman forward Alex Elliott’s team-leading fourth goal of the season couldn’t hold up as the Saint Mary’s Gaels came back to beat the Pilots, 2-1, in double overtime Sunday afternoon in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer match in Moraga, Calif.
The Gaels received two goals from senior defender Michael Johnson, one in the second half and the other the game-winner, as Saint Mary’s improves its record to 8-9-1 overall and 5-6-0 in the WCC. Portland, who beat No. 26 Washington 1-0 on Friday, drops to 5-10-2 overall, 2-7-1 in the conference.
The Pilots and Gaels played the first 45 minutes of the game evenly as they entered halftime locked in a 0-0 tie.
After 50 minutes of scoreless soccer, Elliott gave UP a 1-0 lead with a bullet at 50:57. Elliott ripped a shot from 28 yards out that SMC keeper Brian Mason got both gloves on, but he couldn’t find the handle as the ball slipped through his hands and into the net. Sophomore defender Jeff Griffin picked up his first assist this season on the score.
Saint Mary’s aggressively attacked Portland’s goal during the first half and continued to apply pressure in the second period unable to capitalize until Johnson found the net at 70:54 for the equalizer, tying the game at 1-1. Johnson scored on a header off a free kick by freshman midfielder Carlos Diaz who picked up the assist.
Neither team was able to find the net after that as the game went to overtime. In the first extra period, the Gaels outshot the Pilots 4-2 but the game continued into the second overtime.
Saint Mary’s finally broke the tie in the second overtime period as Johnson found the net at 106:39 for his second goal of the game and of the season. Johnson again headed the ball into the right side of the net from five yards out. The assist went to Michael Clegg, his first of the year.
Luis Robles had another stellar performance between the posts for the Pilots as the junior goalie stopped eight Gael shots on the day. That brings Robles’ career total to 246, fifth best in school history and only four shy of tying Brent Mayes (1980-83) for fourth on the all-time charts.
Portland finished the day with 11 shots, while the Gaels countered with 20. UP had one shot on goal to SMC’s 10.
The Pilots next return home for a pair of conference games next weekend. On Thursday, November 10, UP hosts San Francisco at 7 p.m. at Merlo Field. Then on Saturday, the Pilots host No. 5 Santa Clara in the regular season finale for both teams. That game is also scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Portland ((5-10-2,2-7-1 WCC)) vs. Saint Mary's ((8-9-1, 5-6-0 WCC))
Date: Nov 06, 2005 Attendance: 425
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 OT O2 Tot
-------------------------------------
Portland............ 0 1 0 0 - 1
Saint Mary's........ 0 1 0 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 50:57 POR ELLIOTT, Alex (GRIFFIN, Jeff) - shot from 28 yds out slipped through kep
2. 75:54 SMC JOHNSON, Michael (DIAZ, Carlos) - own goal off header from 5 from free kic
3. 106:39 SMC JOHNSON, Michael (CLEGG, Michael) - header 5 yds out in rt side of net
Shots: Portland 11, Saint Mary's 26
Saves: Portland 8 (ROBLES, Luis 8), Saint Mary's 0 ()
