Box Score I Photos

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots’ run through the 2010 NCAA Playoffs ended in heart-breaking fashion as the Washington Huskies advance 10-9 on penalty kicks during a second round game on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. UP and UW played to a 1-1 draw, despite the Pilots out-shooting the Huskies 27-6 during regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods.

 

The Huskies were fortunate to send the game to a PK shootout as Portland dominated possession and shot attempts all afternoon. The first round of five PK’s ended tied at 4-4, meaning a second round was needed. That one also ended in tie (5-5), forcing the game to a third round of penalty shots.

 

That’s when UW’s Kate Deines scored on the Huskies’ first attempt, meaning Portland had to match it in order for the shootout to continue. But Washington goalkeeper Jorde Lafontaine-Kussman came up with a huge save on the UP attempt, allowing the Huskies to advance to the third round.

 

The game goes in the books officially as a tie as UP ends the season with a 19-1-2 overall record. UW’s record now stands at 12-8-2.

 

After the game was tied 1-1 at the half, the Pilots had several opportunities to take the lead during the second half and the extra periods, but Lafontaine-Kussman came up with big save after big save. During the 58th minute, the junior keeper was forced to make a diving save on a shot by UP senior Sophie Schmidt. Junior Danielle Foxhoven then had an attempt on the rebound, but Lafontaine-Kussman was able to save that one as well.

 

She then made two saves during the first OT and a game-saving stop in the second. This time Foxhoven cracked a shot from outside the box that appeared headed for the top shelf. But Lafontaine-Kussman was somehow able to get a hand on it, punching it over the crossbar.

 

The Huskies attempted just three shots during the second half and none during the overtime’s. Portland countered with 21 strikes during those 65 minutes.

 

It was Schmidt who scored the equalizer just ten seconds after UW had taken a 1-0 lead at the 28-minute mark of the first half. On the ensuing kick-off, the Pilots quickly worked the ball down field before Foxhoven set up Schmidt with a shot from the middle of the 18-yard box. A composed Schmidt finished inside the right post just seconds after Washington’s goal, tying the score at 1-1.

 

First-half sub McKenna Waitley scored UW’s goal with a header on a perfect feed into the box by Jane Mitchell.

 

The result ends the No. 1 seeded and second-ranked Pilots’ four-year streak of reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals. It’s also the first win for UW over UP since 2004, a string of six straight Pilot wins.

 

Portland junior keeper Hailee DeYoung was solid in goal, finishing with three saves on the afternoon. Schmidt led the Pilots with a remarkable 12 shots. Foxhoven had six.

 

Lafontaine-Kussman registered 12 saves.

 

This was the first time since 2005 that the Pilots were forced to penalty shots. That year Portland advanced past Penn State during the NCAA Semifinals. UP hadn’t experienced PK’s at Merlo Field since 2003 when the Santa Clara Broncos advanced during an NCAA third round game.

 

“We have to hand it to Portland. They came out like they always do. They always give a good game. We were under a lot of pressure a lot of the time. I think we did great as a team and everyone in front of me did a great job.”

 

“I was jittery for the first PK. I talked myself through it. Once I saw it in the back of the net I prepared better for the second one. It didn’t surprise me that Jorde made the save. We knew she was going to come up big for us. This is one of the best feelings ever.”

 

“We came out and played well the first half. Portland is such a good team in the attack, we knew we were going to be dodging bullets. They are just so quick on the dribble and great at finishing. When we got the early goal I was hopeful that we could hold it for a little while and they dribbled right down and scored. As the game wore on, we were a little fatigued and we created a couple of chances but by the time we reached OT we said even it up. We have had a tough team playing here, they are terrific at home. We defended to where it was even again and I had a lot of faith that Jorde would come up with one or two saves. She has been tremendous all year. I can’t say enough about those young kids that took the PK’s. They stepped up and looked prepared.”

 

“During regulation I tried to make sure I was set and ready for anything that came and my defense did great to hold them up top. During PK’s, I tried to look confident and it worked out even though it took 13 kicks. I was nervous taking my PK but I’ve taken them before and I love it. It was good to be on the offensive end.”

 

“Obviously it’s a really difficult thing being out there, being a senior. Looking at the game anyone can tell that soccer’s not a fair game. Washington played hard, we played hard. I think we outworked them, we out shot them. I think we earned the win, unfortunately soccer’s a funny game and the best team doesn’t always win. Good luck to Washington, I hope they go on and represent the Northwest well.”

 

“Going down a goal is never where we want to be, I think sometimes we found ourselves there this season. Getting that goal right off the kickoff was huge, it doesn’t really let us put our heads down – Sophie got the ball and just buried it. I thought after that, all of us had no doubt in our mind that we were not going to lose the game. It comes down to scoring goals, and unfortunately for us our 27 shots weren’t going in today.”

 

“I’m proud of the way we played, we dominated. We had plenty of chances and just couldn’t find the back of the net at the opportune time. I walk away sad as a senior, that the season is over, but I’m proud of how we played today.”

 

“The one that sticks out the most is the one where I turned a girl three times and got it I think they just got a toe to it. That was just the story of the game for me. It’s unfortunate and I’m sorry for my teammates that I couldn’t put one away for them.”

 

“They were trying to waste time that’s for sure. I feel like for most of the time we were trying to lump it over and get it out. There strategy worked and they got us to PK’s. You hate to see a game lost in that way, but there’s got to be a winner.”

 

“They’re all tough. It doesn’t matter if you get knocked out in the quarterfinals or lose your opening game. They’re all tough, we are all competitors. It’s a cruel game and the best team doesn’t always win. I think that’s another example of that as sad as it is.”

 

“I don’t know what their team strategy is, but I know we were trying to win the game. We felt like we should’ve won the game and that’s all we were trying to do for us. I give them all the credit in the world to get it to penalty kicks and come away with a victory.”