Pilots score with less than 30 seconds to go, earn first WCC win
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- The University of Portland men’s soccer team won a thriller Sunday afternoon, defeating Loyola Marymount 1-0 in dramatic fashion after the Lions scored an own goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the second half. The victory gives Portland its first West Coast Conference win as the team improves to 3-2-2 (1-1 WCC) on the season. LMU drops to 5-4-0 (1-1 WCC).
The deciding goal came at the 89:31 mark after Portland was awarded a free kick outside the box. The ball was sent in front of the goal mouth and found the back of the net after an errant LMU clear.
Senior goalkeeper Luis Robles recorded his third shutout of the season and 20th of his Pilot career. Robles recorded six saves in the match, including a late save on a shot by LMU’s Nick Blanco to preserve the shutout with less than three minutes to go. Junior Jeff Griffin also made a key defensive play in the 83rd minute when he cleared a ball off the goal line, preventing an LMU score.
The two teams combined for 37 fouls (24 for LMU, 13 for Portland) in a very physical match that featured five yellow cards and two red cards. Portland’s Bryan Irwin was sent off four minutes into the second half after being shown his second yellow card of the match, leaving the Pilots playing a man down.
The Lions were unable to benefit from the advantage, however, and the game was evened after LMU’s Brad Stisser was shown a red card in the 70th minute. Stisser had six shots in the game up to that point, leading the Lions.
LMU outshot the Pilots 19-8 in the game, including six shots in the opening 20 minutes as the Lions came out of the opening kick-off applying pressure to the Pilot defense. Junior Matthew Dallman (pictured) had Portland’s first shot in the 21st minute. Dallman spearheaded the UP attack, recording five shots (including two on goal) to lead the Pilots. Collen Warner, Chris Sanders and Alex Elliott also had shots for Portland.
Portland returns home for a non-conference match against Seattle on Friday, Sept. 29, and then continues WCC play, traveling to San Francisco to face the No. 11 Dons on Sunday, Oct. 1.
