Jessica Tsao |
Freshman Jessica Tsao records first career point with the assist
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Senior midfielder Natalie Budge scored in the 81st minute as the No. 4 Portland Pilots beat Yale 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field in the final match of the Nike Portland Invitational. Freshman Jessica Tsao came off the bench to record her first career assist, while the Pilots posted their second consecutive shutout with the win.
The Pilots, who defeated Kansas on Friday by a 2-0 margin, claimed the Nike Invitational title by way of goal differential over the Washington Huskies. UW defeated Yale 2-1 on Friday and held off Kansas 1-0 in the early game on Sunday.
Portland sophomore forward Michelle Enyeart was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while Pilot freshman Keelin Winters earned Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors.
Sunday’s game-winner came on the team’s eighth corner kick of the afternoon. Senior midfielder Angie Woznuk played the ball short to Tsao, who dribbled inside the penalty box on the right side. Tsao found Budge unmarked in front of the goal and her eight yard, right-footed shot went between the legs of a defender and caromed off the left post and into the net. It was her fourth goal of the season and the first collegiate point for Tsao.
It was a grind from start to finish for the Pilots (5-1-0) who had just 16 active players this weekend due to injuries and World Cup participation.
“I am just thankful that we have freshmen who are capable of stepping in right away to fill some holes,” Pilots coach Garrett Smith said. “We are in survival mode right now with a limited number of available bodies, but I thought our freshmen really stepped up. Keelin played spectacular all weekend and Jessica created our only goal today.”
Portland held a 17-7 edge in shot attempts for the match and 7-4 advantage in shots on goal over Bulldogs (1-4-0). Pilots goalkeeper Kelsey Davis made four saves to earn her second straight shutout. Yale’s Susan Starr stopped three shots in the first half, while Ayana Sumiyasu made three saves in the second half for the Bulldogs.
Despite a decisive edge in time of possession in the first half, the Pilots mustered just three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes.
Portland’s best chance came in the 18th minute when sophomore striker Kendra Chandhoke blasted a shot from 17 yards to the right side of the frame. Starr made a diving save to push the ball wide.
The Bulldogs had two quality chances in regulation on breakaways where Davis was left one-on-one with an attacking player. The first came in the 44th minute as Hannah Smith broke free and tried to beat Davis to the left post, but the goalkeeper snuffed the angle and made the save.
In the 63rd minute Maggie Westfal intercepted a pass among the Portland backline and charged toward the left post. Davis again came off her line and forced Westfal to rush her attempt, which sailed wide left.
The Pilots are next scheduled to travel to Seattle, Wash. on Wednesday, Sept. 19 to face the Washington Huskies at 7 p.m. Portland returns to Merlo Field and will host Portland State on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.
