PORTLAND, Ore. - Conditioning matters. The 2005 University of Portland Pilots proved that Saturday afternoon with a 5-1 victory over a collection of former Pilot greats in an alumni match at Merlo Field. UP assistant coach Rob Baarts (1987-90) gave the alumni an early 1-0 lead with a perfectly placed free kick, but the Pilots of the present would score five unanswered goals in the friendly competition.

Senior Patrick Mooney led the way with two strikes, while Alex Elliott, Bryan Irwin and Matthew Dallman also found the back of the net.

Alumni keeper Todd Lawton (1995-98) proved to be in good form by making nine saves and allowing just two goals in over 52 minutes between the sticks, but the young Pilots had too many fresh bodies and the conditioning showed with four second-half goals.

Portland will return to regular season competition next weekend at the Husky Fever Classic in Seattle, Wash. The Pilots will face Hartwick College on Friday, Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m. and Wisconsin on Sunday at 11 a.m.