Box Score I Video Highlights
PORTLAND, Ore. --- After 88-plus minutes of scoreless soccer, Seattle’s Chris Hodges scored the game-winner to give the Redhawks a 1-0 victory over the Portland Pilots in a non-conference men’s soccer game Friday evening at Merlo Field.
The goal came when Mutanda Kwesele fed an unmarked Hodges in the right side of the 18-yard box. In a one-v-one opportunity, Hodges scored inside the left post from about ten yards out. It’s the first strike this season for Hodges.
Portland was unable to capitalize during the game’s final minute and falls to 4-7-2 on the season. Seattle improves to 8-3-1.
Both teams previously had a couple of quality looks during the second half. In the 50th minute, SU’s Andrew Kreiter nearly gave the Redhawks a 1-0 lead. But his shot from the left flank bounced off the cross bar before hitting the right post, somehow staying out of the net.
The Pilots then nearly claimed the lead one minute later. Senior Leland Wright chipped a pass over two defenders that found sophomore Frankie Lopez. Lopez then sent a shot through heavy traffic that was saved by Emerson DeOliveria.
DeOliveria finished with two stops on the night, while his Portland counterpart Austin Guerrero had another solid night in the net. Guerrero kept the game scoreless throughout with quality stop after quality stop. He finished with five saves on the game.
The Redhawks outshot the Pilots 15-7 and held a 6-5 edge in corners.
Seattle had a pair of close calls in the first half en route to 9-2 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes. The first came in the 22nd minute, courtesy Kyle Petterman. After a Redhawk corner kick, Petterman gathered a loose ball and ripped a frozen rope from 30 yards out. Guerrero was able to knock the ball down with a two-handed save.
Guerrero came up huge again 12 minutes later. This time Kreiter fired a shot from point blank that was knocked away by Guerrero
The Pilots next return to play in the West Coast Conference with a match against the Saint Mary’s Gales on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Merlo Field. The Pilots-Gaels game is preceded by a UP women’s match against Pepperdine, which is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.
