AUSTIN, Texas - Christine Sinclair is used to scoring goals, particularly important goals, and most especially key goals at Mike Myers Stadium. On the same pitch that she scored two goals in the 2002 NCAA Championship match - including the overtime game-winner - Sinclair extended her goal-scoring streak to seven games with her 12th and 13th strikes of the 2005 season, leading the No. 2 Pilots to a 2-1 win over No. 21 Texas (2-3-1) Friday night.
As has been the case all season, Portland (7-0-0) dominated the possession game and controlled the attack with a 29-5 edge in shot attempts. Unlike the previous six games though, the Pilots were entrenched in a tie with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. The stage was set for yet another star performance and Sinclair was again shining bright at the opportunity.
After finally breaking through the Longhorns bunkered defense in the 73rd minute, Sinclair scored on her ninth shot attempt of the evening on an assist from fellow senior All-American Lindsey Huie for the 1-0 lead. Texas quickly responded with an equalizer by Kelsey Carpenter in the 75th minute on assists by Julie Gailey and Ashley Foster. It was just the second goal the Pilots have allowed this season.
Sinclair would put away the game-winner in the 83rd minute, taking a cross from senior defender Kelsy Hollenbeck and chipping her attempt over Texas keeper Diana Pfeffinger for the win.
"Sinc’s always good for two goals on that field," joked UP coach Garrett Smith after the match. "We knew coming in that Texas was going to be a well-organized and dangerous team. Our kids were patient again tonight and things started opening up in the second half. It was unfortunate to give one back to them late in the game, but it was a good result in the end."
Sinclair finished with 11 shot attempts, while redshirt freshman Megan Rapinoe unleashed six shots to lead the Pilots. Carpenter and Karrie Schmidt had two attempts each for the Longhorns.
UP junior goalkeeper Cori Alexander recorded a pair of second half saves, but surrendered her first goal of the season in over 570 minutes of action. The tandem of Pfeffinger and starter Dana Hall made 10 saves for the Longhorns. Hall stopped all six UP attempts on goal in the first half, while Pfeffinger made four stops in the final 45 minutes.
Portland will continue its trip through the Lone Star State with a matchup against Baylor on Sunday. The Pilots Bears will meet at 11 a.m. (Pacific).
NOTES: The Pilots improve to 7-0 all-time against the Longhorns ... the 29 shot attempts is a single-game high for the Pilots this season ... Portland has scored at least two goals in each game this season ... Christine Sinclair has 84 career goals and is three shy of tying Shannon MacMillan (1992-95) for second on the UP career charts ... Lindsey Huie has assisted on 16 of Sinclair’s career goals ... with 38 career assists, Huie is two short of tying Tiffeny Milbrett (1990-92, 94) for third on the UP career charts ... Texas’ goal snapped Cori Alexander’s no goals-against streak to start the season at 556:.. ... Portland has scored at least two goals in each game this season.
Portland (7-0-0) vs. Texas (2-3-1)
Date: Sep 16, 2005 Attendance: 1268
Weather: Mostly sunny, mid 90s
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Portland............ 0 2 - 2
Texas............... 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 72:51 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (12) (HUIE, Lindsey) - cross goal, left side from inside PK box
2. 73:37 UT Carpenter, Kelsey (3) (Gailey, Julie;Foster, Ashley) - inside 6 on right side of goal
3. 82:37 POR SINCLAIR, Christine (13) (HOLLENBECK, Kelsy) - chipped over goalie's head from right
Shots: Portland 29, Texas 5
Saves: Portland 2 (ALEXANDER, Cori 2), Texas 11 (Pfenninger, Dianna 4; Hall, Dana 6; TEAM 1)
