Patrick Jurney

Sophomore Patrick Jurney nets his second goal of the season for the Pilots

MORAGA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots ended the regular season with a 1-1 draw with the Saint Mary’s Gaels in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer game at Saint Mary’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With SMC up 1-0, Portland sophomore defender Patrick Jurney evened the score with his second career goal in the 61st minute.

Portland finishes the season with an 8-8-3 overall record and a 4-7-1 mark in the WCC. Saint Mary’s improves to 4-10-6 overall and 2-7-3 in the conference.

The Gaels struck first with a score on a corner kick in the 26th minute. Alex Christlieb served up a cross from the corner that Cory Heldreth was able to head into the back of the net. Heldreth’s second goal of the season gave Saint Mary’s the 1-0 advantage.

The game remained 1-nil until Portland equalized 16 minutes into the second half. Jurney headed in his second goal of the season off a corner kick from junior forward Christopher Sanders. It’s the fourth assist of the season for Sanders.

During the first overtime, the Gaels attempted four shots, while the Pilots never seriously threatened the SMC goal. Both teams attempted one shot during the second overtime.

The Gaels outshot the Pilots for the game 20-14, while Portland held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks.

UP senior goalkeeper Luis Robles made fives saves, giving him 346 for his career. Robles became Portland’s all-time saves leader against Santa Clara on Friday.

The Pilots entered the weekend with an outside chance of earning a postseason berth. But the tie with Saint Mary’s coupled with a loss to Santa Clara Friday night most likely ends the season for Portland. The 48-team NCAA postseason field will be announced on Monday, Nov. 6 between 1:00-2:00 p.m. on ESPNEWS.