PORTLAND, Ore. --- The 17th ranked Santa Clara Broncos scored twice during the first eight minutes of the second half to defeat the Portland Pilots 2-1 in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer match on Sunday at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex. It’s the first loss at home this season for the Pilots, who drop to 5-4-2 on the season and 2-3-0 in the WCC.

Santa Clara improves to 7-3-3 and 2-1-1.

After a scoreless first half, Santa Clara scored two quick goals after the break. On a free kick in the 47th minute, Matt Hatzke took a low shot that bent around the left side of the wall of Portland defenders. The shot was just out of the reach of UP senior goalkeeper Luis Robles and snuck inside the left post.

The Broncos made it 2-0 six minutes later. On a through ball from Peter Lowry, Sean Danzeisser was able to split two UP defenders in the middle of the field. Danzeisser sent a chip shot towards the frame from the top of the 18-yard box. The shot was perfectly placed over the head of Robles and into the top of the net.

The Pilots cut the lead in half with 4:30 left to play. Junior forward Christopher Sanders ripped a shot from the top left of the box that bounced straight back off of the far post. Freshman midfielder Collen Warner (pictured) took a shot off the rebound and found the back of the net with a low ball from ten yards in front of the goal. It’s the second score this season for Warner and the first assist for Sanders.

Portland then applied pressure during the game’s final minutes, but Santa Clara held on for the win.

Santa Clara had the game’s first serious threat on goal 35 minutes in. On a free kick from 30 yards out, Brian Martin rifled a line drive over the Pilot wall and towards the goal. Robles was able to knock the shot down, but was unable to hold onto it. Amaechi Igwe was there to make an attempt on the rebound, but his header was high.

Portland followed with a similar sequence two minutes later. Sophomore midfielder Brayton Knapp ripped a low shot from 25 yards out. SCU keeper Joseph Buttitta laid out to save the shot with his body. The ball bounced away from Buttitta directly in front of the goal to sophomore forward Steven Hosseinmardi, who chipped it high of the frame.

The match was evenly played as the Broncos outshot the Pilots 10-9 and held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks. Sanders led the Portland attack with three shots.

The Pilots return for another home match on Friday, as Gonzaga visits for a conference match at 7:30 p.m. at Merlo Field. The game follows a UP women’s soccer match against San Francisco, which is slated to start at 4:00 p.m.