Junior forward Christopher Sanders scores twice in the second half to lead Portland past Saint Mary’s

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior forward Christopher Sanders scored his second goal of the game in the 88th minute to lift the Portland Pilots past the Saint Mary’s Gaels 2-1 in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer game Friday night at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex. Sanders’ game-winner came on a header off a beautiful pass from junior midfielder Matthew Dallman.

The win is the third in the past four games for the Pilots, who improve to 5-3-2 overall and 2-2-0 in the WCC. It’s the first conference loss for Saint Mary’s, as the Gaels drop to 4-4-4 and 2-1-1 in the conference.

Dallman, who provided speed and energy to create opportunities all night long for the Pilots, fed Sanders with a long pass from the right wing with the score tied at 1-1 and 2:30 remaining on the clock. Dallman’s pass was perfectly placed to Sanders who out-jumped two defenders 12 yards in front of the frame. Sanders’ shot was just over the head of SMC goalkeeper Brian Mason and found the top-right corner of the net.

"Matt (Dallman) was wearing down the defense all night and eventually somebody was going to get on the end of one of his crosses," head coach Bill Irwin said. "It was a classy finish by Sanders."

It’s the ninth career game-winner for Sanders (pictured), tied for the sixth most in UP history.

Saint Mary’s had taken a 1-0 lead into the break on a first-half goal by David Blanchard. On a throw in from the right wing, Alex Christlieb’s toss sailed into the middle of the box. The ball bounced free into an open space right to the feet of Blanchard, who blasted a shot inside the right post from seven yards out.

The score remained 1-nil until Sanders capitalized with his first goal of the game in the 79th minute. On a free kick from 24 yards out, Sanders placed a perfect ball into the top left corner that sailed over a wall of leaping SMC defenders and in.

"I thought we came out flat, which there is no excuse for playing at home on a Friday night," said Sanders. "At halftime, coach challenged us and we responded. I felt that as a team co-captain I needed to be more of a leader.

"On the free kick, I told the guys that I was going to take it and it make it, so everybody let me do my thing."

The Pilots had a golden opportunity for the game’s first strike in the 22nd minute. Sophomore defender Bryan Irwin sent a beautiful pass from the backline looking for sophomore forward Alex Elliott. Mason came off his line to defend Elliott, who had made it behind the defense. Elliott beat Mason to the ball on the right wing at the top of the box, made a move to the left and ripped a shot towards the empty net. Elliott’s shot from 16 yards out sailed high.

Portland also had the first good look of the second half five minutes in. Junior midfielder Michael Gavin found Dallman with a long pass to the endline just right of the goal. Dallman took a touch and rifled a cross into the box. A sprinting Elliott was able to get a foot on it for an off balanced shot that was wide right by three yards.

The Pilots had another opportunity in the 67th minute. Off a long ball from Irwin, Sanders was able to gain possession near the top of the box. After muscling through a couple of defenders, Sanders slid a short pass to Elliott to the extreme left of the goal. Elliott’s shot from a tough angle bounced off the left post. Gavin was there to fire a shot off the rebound, but it was high.

"The WCC is a very tough conference," said Irwin, "but if we can win all of our home games, we’ll be in good shape. Tonight was a good start."

"If we can take care of business at home we’ll be fine," Sanders added. "We need to get points and keep climbing the standings."

Senior keeper Luis Robles went the distance between the pipes for the Pilots and recorded six saves on 20 shots by the Gaels. Portland countered with 17 shots.

Five cautions in all were shown during the match, with two yellows and red card going to Saint Mary’s. Portland received two yellows. The Gaels’ Corey Watts was shown a red card after time had expired and will have to sit out SMC’s next match.