Box Score I Video Highlights
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Frankie Lopez scored his 11th goal of the season and his third game-winner in the 17th minute to give the Pilots a 1-0 victory over the visiting LMU Lions Friday night at Merlo Field. UP sophomore goalkeeper Austin Guerrero fought off 19 LMU shots to pick up the shutout, his third of the fall.
Guerrero made nine saves on the night to move to fifth all-time in the conference record book with his eighth career West Coast Conference shutout.
The result moves Portland’s record to 7-9-2 overall and to 4-6-0 in the WCC. LMU falls to 5-7-5 and 3-5-2.
“The guys battled hard,” head coach and Director of Soccer Bill Irwin said following the match. “We were able to put away one of our chances. We probably could have finished on a few more, but we defended well. It was a good result and everyone contributed.”
Lopez’s strike came almost 17 minutes into the match and was set up by junior Collen Warner, who got a rare start up front for the Pilots. Warner, who usually plays the attacking midfield spot, received a pass from freshman Michael Nielsen before cracking a shot that bounced off the left post from 15 yards out. Lopez was perfectly placed on the other side of the goal and first-timed a shot into the lower right corner of the net. Warner was credited with his seventh assist on the season, which leads the conference. Lopez is now tied for the league-high in goals after leading the category for most of the season.
13 minutes later, Guerrero made the first of several spectacular saves on the night. LMU’s Rafael Baca drilled a line drive from 20 yards out that Guerrero laid out for to make a diving stop, ensuring the Pilots entered the locker room with a 1-nil lead.
LMU came out firing early in the second half, but again Guerrero was up to the task. During the opening minutes of the second stanza, the Lions had a handful of opportunities from point-blank range that were thwarted by Guerrero, including a kick save of a shot from Phil De Silva from eight yards out.
Later in the second half, the Pilots sent a flurry of shots at keeper Patrick Sampson and the LMU frame. Lopez had the first good look off a feed from senior Steven Hosseinmardi in the 74th minute. With a defender on his hip, Lopez’s shot from 12 yards was knocked away by Sampson.
Warner then ripped three more shots during the next minute, including an attempt from 12 yards out that hit the left post once again.
LMU’s last good look came with five minutes showing on the clock when Artur Jozkowicz gained possession at the top of the box. Jozkowicz was able to turn and crack a shot that sailed just high of the UP crossbar.
“I was able to handle a lot of their shots,” said Guerrero. “I thought defensively we played great.”
Guerrero now has a conference leading 84 saves on the year. Sampson finished with five stops on the night on 14 Portland shots.
The Pilots next play their regular season home finale on Sunday against the San Diego Toreros at 1:00 p.m. at Merlo Field. Portland’s five graduating seniors, Steven Hosseinmardi, Patrick Jurney, Bryan Irwin, Brayton Knapp and Leland Wright will be honored during a pre-game ceremony.
