Natalie Budge

Portland equalizes late in regulation to send match to OT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- No. 8 UCLA edged No. 2 Portland 2-1 in overtime courtesy of an obscure goal from Canadian International Kara Lang, her second of the game Friday night at Drake Stadium. After allowing an early strike to Lang, the Pilots sent the contest to overtime with a late goal from senior Natalie Budge, but the ball bounced UCLA’s way in the extra period.

After a back-and-forth five minutes in overtime, UCLA midfielder Danesha Adams sent a long pass to Lang in the final third. The ball bounced over Pilot defender Kelli Cronkrite right to Lang, who launched a 25-yard attempt right at Portland goalkeeper Kelsey Davis. Davis, a transfer from UCLA, was well positioned, but the ball caromed off her gloves and trickled over the goal line.

The victory pushed UCLA’s home unbeaten streak to 31 games, and marked yet another emotional match between the two national powers. It was UCLA’s second win in as many years over the Pilots at Drake Stadium. Last year, the Bruins (5-1-2) overcame an early deficit to pull out a 2-1 win in the NCAA quarterfinals, avenging a 4-0 loss to the Pilots (7-2-0) in the 2005 NCAA Championship match.

On Friday, the Bruins controlled the opening minutes and went up 1-0 when Lang teed up a long distance strike in the ninth minute. Lang, making her first appearance of the season after participating in the World Cup with Canada, took one touch on a pass from forward Lauren Cheney and blasted her attempt just under the cross bar and over the outstretched glove of Davis.

Portland settled in to the game and took over much of the possession after the first 15 minutes, but failed to generate any significant scoring threats in the first half.

That changed after the break. Both teams came out firing early in the second period with UCLA junior All-American midfielder Christina DiMartino testing Davis with two quality attempts in the first five minutes. Davis fully extended on the first to grab DiMartino’s attempt at the left post in the 47th minute. A few plays later, DiMartino sprung free for a 1-v-1 with Davis and struck early from 20 yards out. Davis knocked the shot down from well off her line and pounced on the ball to stop the attack.

Portland then went on the offensive, outshooting UCLA 6-5 in the period and controlling the run of play.

The equalizer came in the 85th minute as sophomore forward Michelle Enyeart earned a free kick 25 yards out after a hard tackle. Enyeart popped up for a quick restart and led Budge perfectly into the left side of the box. Budge finished to the right post past a diving Valerie Henderson. It was Enyeart’s team-leading ninth assist of the season and Budge’s team-best fifth goal.

Portland continued to threaten in the closing minutes, but settled for extra time, setting up Lang’s game-winner.

Lang, a teammate of Portland redshirt freshman Sophie Schmidt on Canada’s World Cup team, made her first appearance of the season for UCLA. Schmidt also made her Pilots debut in the match, coming off the bench late and the first half and playing the rest of the way at both outside back positions. The duo returned to their respective schools last weekend after Canada was eliminated in group play.

For the game, UCLA held an 11-7 edge in shots, while UP gained a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Portland’s tough schedule continues on Sunday, when the Pilots face No. 14 USC at McAlister Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and their will be a free audio broadcast courtesy of portlandpilots.com.