Box Score I
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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Ben Hemphill scored the game-winner on a break away in the 97th minute as the Pilots recorded a 1-0 overtime win over the Gaels in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer game on a brisk Friday evening at Merlo Field. It’s Hemphill’s second goal this season and his first game-winner as the Pilots improve to 6-2-4 and to 3-1-1 in the WCC.
Hemphill’s goal came after the two sides battled fairly evenly for 96 minutes.
On a mis-hit goal kick during the first overtime, SMC goalkeeper Doug Herrick sent a low line drive that was short of the half-way line. An alert Hemphill stepped around an SMC defender to block the ball straight back at Herrick before racing onto the loose ball. With Herrick still near his line and the nearest defender five yards away, Hemphill stay composed to finish inside the right post from about 15 yards out.
Saint Mary’s fall to 6-5-1 overall and to 2-3-0 in the conference.
During regulation, both teams took turns controlling the run of play. The Gaels were the more aggressive team early in the first half, while Portland ended the half strong.
After the break, Portland’s Ryan Kawulok had the game’s two most dangerous looks, both coming on corner kicks. On the first one in the 62nd minute, Kawulok went near post with a hard header that was saved by Herrick.
Kawulok’s second attempt came during overtime and was almost a carbon copy as the first. This time Herrick punched the header over the crossbar in the 96th minute. Hemphill would net the game-winner barely a minute later.
Portland senior goalkeeper Austin Guerrero finished with five saves to record his fourth shutout this season and the third blank slate against a WCC opponent. That gives him 14 shutouts all-time against WCC foes, which is one shy of the all-time mark held by San Francisco’s Geremy Uhl.
Herrick finished with four stops.
The Pilots held a 16-13 advantage in shots, while both teams attempted six corner kicks.
Portland next takes the pitch on Sunday as the San Francisco Dons visit for a 2:30 p.m. match. USF lost 3-1 on Friday night at Gonzaga.
Sunday’s game is the second half of a UP soccer double-header as the women are set to host the Pepperdine Waves at 12:00 p.m. at Merlo Field.
