Box Score I Post-Game Audio
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The No. 2 Portland Pilots won their eighth straight game and remained perfect in West Coast Conference play with a 5-1 win over Saint Mary’s before 2,184 fans Friday night at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex. Danielle Foxhoven scored two goals and added an assist to lead the rout as Portland has now outscored WCC opposition 22-1 in four matches.
Michelle Enyeart added a goal and an assist for Portland, while Sophie Schmidt and Kendra Chandhoke also tallied goals.
Portland, the highest scoring team in the nation, continued its offensive onslaught with five goals in the first 51 minutes of action. Foxhoven leads the Pilots with 17 goals on the year, while Enyeart now has 12 goals and 12 assists this season.
Ashley Nied broke up the shutout in the 71st minute flicking on a long service from Ashley Dernbach to give the Gaels their lone goal. It is the first goal surrendered by the Pilots (15-1-0, 4-0-0) in league play.
Portland had built a 5-0 lead, including three first half goals, and also had three shots cleared off the goal line by the Gaels defense. Saint Mary’s goalkeeper Tara Larson also played a good game between the pipes in recording eight saves.
The Pilots outshot the Gaels (9-8-0, 1-3-1) by a 21-4 margin and had an 11-1 edge in corner kicks.
Foxhoven struck first in the sixth minute, back-heeling a firm cross from Enyeart inside the left post. Schmidt made it 2-0 in the 11th minute. After taking a short pass from freshman Kendall Johsnon at the top of the box, Schmidt unleashed a rocket top shelf past a diving Larson. Chandhoke made it 3-0 at the half after playing a give-and-go with Jessica Tsao and finishing to the left side netting from 10 yards in the 43rdminute. It was the defender’s sixth assist of the season.
The second half was more Pilot domination as Johnson earned a penalty kick in the 49th minute after beating a Gaels defender and being tripped up in the penalty area. Foxhoven stepped to the spot and converted her third PK of the season. Enyeart capped the scoring in the 51st frame running onto a thru ball from Foxhoven and finishing to the right corner.
Portland used all 11 substitutes that were available to play on Friday as each player got at least 15 minutes of game action.
The Pilots will return to Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex on Sunday for a doubleheader with the UP men’s team. The women host San Francisco at noon, followed by the men versus Gonzaga at 2:30 p.m.
