Pilots fall to Toreros in WCC opener, drop to 2-2-2 on the year

SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- San Diego midfielder Ciaran O’Brien scored in the first half to defeat the Pilots men’s soccer team 1-0 in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams. Portland falls to 2-2-2 (0-1 WCC) while San Diego improves to 6-1 (1-0 WCC).

The Toreros came out strong after the opening whistle, pressuring the Pilot goal with two corner kicks and two shots before O’Brien notched his third goal of the season in the 23rd minute. Senior goalkeeper Luis Robles came out to clear the ball for the Pilots, but it bounced to O’Brien who then beat junior defender Eric Fredback on a one-and-one and slotted the ball into an open net.

San Diego nearly scored again four minutes later as a shot by striker Ryan Guy bounced off the post. Portland regrouped and tallied its first shot in the 33rd minute, a strike by junior Michael Gavin that sailed over the goal. The Pilots continued to pressure the Toreros until the end of the half but were unable to score as Lance Friesz had two saves for San Diego in the final 10 minutes before the break.

It was more of the same in the second half, as Portland battled but was unable to even the score. The Pilots had several chances late in the game - recording three shots and a corner kick with less than five minutes remaining - but the back of the net proved elusive as the Pilots were shut out for the second consecutive game.

San Diego outshot Portland 13-10 for the game, lead by Guy with 4 shots. Elliott paced the Pilot attack with 4 shots, including 2 shots on goal. It was a physical match featuring 32 total fouls called, including second-half yellow cards to Portland’s Brayton Knapp and Collen Warner. Robles had 3 saves for Pilots and Friesz had 4 for the Toreros.

Next up for the Pilots is a match against Loyola Marymount on Sept. 24, and then the Pilots return home for a game at Merlo Field against Seattle on Sept. 29.