PORTLAND - Portland freshman forward Alex Elliott scored his first career goal as the Pilots defeated Cal Poly by a 1-0 margin in the final game of the Nike Portland Invitational Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. Creighton defeated Washington, 3-2, in the early game and was the tournament champion based on number of goals scored. Creighton freshman Byron Dacy was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while Portland sophomore Jeff Griffin was the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Elliott, a member of the Canadian Under-20 National Team, made his presence felt early and often, finishing the game with seven shots. He nearly put the Pilots (1-0-1) on top in the 28th minute, sending a blind one-timer from 20 yards over the head of Cal Poly (0-2-0) keeper Jeremy Coupe and into the net, but the strike was called back on an offsides call.

Elliott would not be denied in the 32nd minute as Miguel Guante and Matthew Dallman set up the game-winner. Guante played a ball to Dallman on the right sideline, penalty box-extended. Dallman’s cross was headed on to the far post Guante and an unmarked Elliott finished with ease.

Portland was unable to put away an insurance goal despite numerous opportunities from close range. Guante had a firm header pushed wide by Coupe just before halftime and in the 86th minute Elliott was serviced a perfect cross from fellow freshman Bryan Irwin, but again Coupe made a reflex kick-save to thwart the effort.

"It was a huge relief to get that first goal," Elliott said. "I know the guys depend on me to score goals and now I think everyone expects it to happen more frequently. We had lots of opportunities today because there was much better movement throughout the game. I think we are going to continue to improve and a lot of those missed chances today will turn into goals later down the road."

Portland junior goalkeeper Luis Robles made three crucial saves to earn the shutout for the Pilots. Robles took a shot off the foot of Mustangs forward Abdul Sesay early in the second half and closed the game by snagging a dangerous cross off of a corner kick in the closing seconds.

Coupe kept the Mustangs (0-2-0) alive with seven saves on the day. Portland held a 13-10 edge in shots, including an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal.

"We would have liked two wins this weekend, but I think we played pretty well overall," noted Griffin, who ignited many UP attacks down the left sideline. "I think defensively there is a few things we need to sort out, but only allowing one goal in two games is pretty good. For having two new starters on the back line, I think we all have played well together thus far."

The Pilots will next head to Las Vegas, participating in the UNLV Invitational. UP will face the host Rebels on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and UC Santa Barbara on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m.

 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  31:13 POR ELLIOTT, Alex (1) (GUANTE, Miguel;DALLMAN, Matthew) - cross headed to far post finish

 Shots: Cal Poly 10, Portland 13
 Saves: Cal Poly 7 (Coupe, Jeremy 7), Portland 3 (ROBLES, Luis 3)

Nike Invitational Game #3
Creighton 3, Washington 2

Washington and Creighton traded goals before the Bluejays struck last on Michael Kraus’ game-winner in the 81st minute. Jarod Tarver and Dacy scored Creighton’s first two goals, while Eric Blythe and Mike Chabala tallied Washington’s strikes. The match featured a combined eight yellow cards and a red card issued to Creighton Head Coach Bob Warming in the 74th minute.

 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  36:46 CU Tarver, Jarod (1) (Schmitz, Tony) - 16yds, 1v1 with GK
  2.  58:54 WASH Blythe, Eric (1) (Loveless, Nick) - 8yd header inside rt post
  3.  64:53 CU Dacy, Byron (1) (Carvajal, Joan) - 16yds top shelf past sliding GK
  4.  73:16 WASH Chabala, Mike (2) (unassisted) - 23yd free kick through wall
  5.  80:14 CU Kraus, Michael (1) (Dacy, Byron) - cross by 17, open net 6yd finish

 Shots: Creighton 12, Washington 14
 Saves: Creighton 2 (Allen, Matt 2), Washington 2 (Eylander, Chris 2)