Michael Gavin

SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- Portland senior Michael Gavin drilled the game-winner on a free kick in the 110th minute to propel the Pilots past San Diego 1-0 in double overtime in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer game on Friday at Torero Stadium. The win pushes the Pilots past USD into second place in the WCC standings.

Gavin’s strike, his second of the season, came with 53 ticks showing on the clock. On the free kick from 35 yards out, Gavin used his left foot and snuck the shot just inside the left post for his first game-winner of the season.

Portland runs its unbeaten streak to six games and improves to 8-4-5 overall on the season and 5-1-4 in the WCC. San Diego falls to 8-8-1 (5-3-1 WCC). UP and USD began the day tied for second place in the conference with Gonzaga with 16 points apiece.

UP freshman goalkeeper Austin Guerrero made nine saves on the night to record his third straight shutout. Guerrero has not allowed a goal in the last 300 minutes played and leads the conference with eight shutouts and 72 saves.

Both teams had several opportunities in the first half. Portland junior Alex Elliott had the game’s first good look in the fourth minute. Elliott unleashed a wicked shot from the top of the box that USD keeper Kelin Briones just got his finger tips on, knocking it out of bounds for the save.

San Diego’s J.T. Howlan was able to get off a couple of shots in the first stanza, but he was thwarted each time by Guerrero, who finished the first half with six saves.

Portland senior Bryan Irwin also had a chance in the 27th minute, creating a one-v-one opportunity with Briones. Irwin’s attempt drilled the cross bar.

Guerrero opened the second half with yet another save on an attempt by Howlan. This time Eddie Ahman served a well-placed cross into the mixer. Howland cracked a one-timer that Guerrero saved and deflected out of bounds.

Still tied in the 85th minute, USD senior Dustin Guerrero tried to go far post with a shot, but his younger brother Austin was again able to make the save.

Regulation ended with San Diego claiming a 14-7 advantage in shots. UP’s Guerrero made nine stops to force the overtime.

Both teams attempted a shot in the first overtime with neither attempt finding its mark.

USD finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots and a slim 4-3 edge in corner kicks. Briones made three stops on the night.

Six yellow cards were issued during the match, with four going to Portland and two shown to San Diego.

Portland next heads up I-5 to Los Angeles for a match Sunday against the Loyola Marymount Lions at 1:00 p.m. The Pilots defeated the Lions 5-2 at Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex earlier this season.