Box Score
SEATTLE, Wash. --- The Portland Pilots scored twice in the second half to overcome the 17th-ranked Creighton Bluejays 2-1 at the Husky Fever Classic at Husky Soccer Field on Sunday. Portland claims the tournament title after winning both games during the weekend. The Pilots opened with a 2-0 win over Cal Poly on Friday.
It’s the fourth win in a row for the Pilots (5-1-1), who also run their unbeaten streak to six straight games. The Bluejays head home to Omaha, Neb., with a 2-2-1 record.
Sunday was a tale of two halves as Creighton controlled the pace of play during the game’s first 45 minutes. The Jays rattled off 12 shots during the first stanza and connected with the match’s first goal in the 34th minute. Thomas Gjoesund finished on a cross from the right flank with a volley into the left corner of the net. Dion Acoff picked up the assist as Creighton claimed a 1-nil lead.
The deficit would last barely two minutes into the second half as the Pilots came out of the locker room looking to equalize. Collen Warner had the answer when he unleashed a wicked left-footed shot in the 48th minute. The senior took a feed from sophomore Michael Nielsen, made a move around a defender and blasted his second goal of the season inside the right post from 25 yards out, tying the game at 1-1.
Portland and Creighton would remain tied until the 84th minute when Nielsen notched the game-winner. Nielsen’s goal was similar to Warner’s strike and was set up by freshman Keith Grubisich. Nielsen came in from the right flank, where Grubisich fed him with a pass at the top of the box. Nielsen took a couple of touches before cracking a low shot towards the left corner of the net. Jays’ keeper Brian Holt got a finger on the ball before it grazed off the left post and settled into the net.
Creighton was able to get off a couple of shots during the game’s final minutes, but each attempt from distance was saved by Portland’s junior goalkeeper Austin Guerrero.
Guerrero made ten saves during the weekend, with nine of them coming on Sunday.
The Bluejays finished with a 22-12 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.
Warner was named the Husky Fever Classic's offensive MVP following the match.
This marks the second tournament title won by Portland this fall. The Pilots also claimed the Smith Barney Classic (Sept. 11-13) in Burlington, Vt., a few weeks back.
Portland next opens play in the West Coast Conference with a pair of road games next weekend. On Friday, the Pilots are set to play the Santa Clara Broncos in Santa Clara, Calif., at 7:00 p.m. Portland then makes the trek to Moraga, Calif., for a 2:00 p.m. match against the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Sunday.
