Box Score
EUGENE, Ore. --- For the second year in a row, the University of Portland women’s soccer team opened the season with a victory over in-state rival Oregon. The No. 4 ranked Pilots posted a 3-0 victory over the host Ducks Friday night before 1,279 fans at Pape’ Field. Sophie Schmidt, Michelle Enyeart and freshman Kendall Johnson notched goals for the Pilots, while senior goalkeeper Kelsey Davis made six saves to record the shutout.
“It was a great effort by both teams,” Portland head coach Garrett Smith said. “Oregon gave us all we could handle early, but we showed great patience and had some good finishes at goal.”
Portland outshot the Ducks 14-12 for the game and overcame a slow start before taking control of the match for good late in the first period.
Schmidt broke the scoreless tie in the 39th minute after junior midfielder Kendra Chandhoke started the play with a good run into the right side of the box. The ball was then taken by junior defender Jessica Tsao who drew attention from the Ducks defense before finding an unmarked Schmidt open in front of the goal. She placed her shot to the right side of frame, leaving UO goalkeeper Cody Miles with no chance for a save.
Portland made it 2-0 early in the second half as Enyeart took a through ball from Schmidt and after one touch, blasted it to the low left for her first strike of the season.
Johnson, a Portland native from Lincoln High School, scored in her collegiate debut in the 86th minute. She collected a loose ball in the box and blasted a left-footed shot from the left side that deflected off of a defender and found the back of the net.
“As an opening game we are pleased with the result but got a lot work ahead,” Smith added. “The next couple weeks will be about making some adjustments, getting tighter on defense, and not giving up so many shot attempts. We know Oregon will give the Pac-10 some problems with performances like tonight.”
Portland will next face California in the home-opener for the Pilots on Friday, Aug. 28 at Merlo Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets are still available. Visit portlandpilots.com for more information.
NOTES: Freshmen Cloee Colohan , Johnson and Taylor Brooke made their collegiate debuts for the Pilots. Colohan started as a center back and played all 90 minutes, Johnson came on as the left side midfielder in the 70th minute and scored, Brooke came on in the 86th minute in the midfield… the 1,279 attendance was an opening day record for Oregon and the fourth highest attendance in school history.
