Box Score I Photo Gallery
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The No. 19 Portland Pilots opened the 2010 season with a 0-0 tie with the Northern Illinois Huskies on the first day of the Nike Invitational on Friday night at Merlo Field. The Pilots (0-0-1) had their chances, out-shooting the Huskies 17-10, but NIU (0-0-1) was able to hold on for the draw.
Senior Ryan Luke and freshman Steven Evans led the Portland offense, registering five shots each. Evans’ final shot of the evening was nearly a game-winner, as he cracked a shot towards the NIU frame with less than two minutes remaining. But his side-volley from eight yards out was high of the crossbar by mere inches.
Portland senior Jarad vanSchaik added three shots, while juniors Conor Barbaree and Ryan Kawulok each had two.
Portland goalkeeper Austin Guerrero begins his senior campaign with a shutout, finishing with four saves on the night. Two of those came during the first overtime when it appeared UP was in real trouble. First, he knocked down a hard shot from Luis Mojica. Then, on the rebound, he made a clutch save on another hard shot, this one courtesy Juan Hoyos. Both strikes were from point-blank range.
The first half was mostly uneventful as both teams attempted just four shots. Portland then turned up the pressure with about 18 minutes to play. vanSchaik cracked one from the top of the box that was punched over the crossbar by NIU keeper Jordan Goodsey in the 73rd minute, while Kawulok had one blocked from about 10 yards out in the 77th minute.
Then Luke nearly ended it in the first overtime when he had possession inside the left-side of the 18-yard box, drawing Goodsey off his line to challenge. Luke sent a left-footed shot towards the open net, but it was cleared at the last second by a Northern Illinois defender.
The game was physical as four yellow cards were shown on the night, two to each team. NIU was whistled for 15 fouls, while Portland was called for 10.
The Pilots also finished with sizeable 11-5 advantage in corner kicks.
Earlier on Friday, the No. 30 Evansville Purple Aces defeated the Washington Huskies 2-1 to open the Nike Invitational.
The tourney concludes on Sunday, with UW facing Northern Illinois at 11:00 a.m., and the Pilots following with a 1:30 p.m. match against the Purple Aces.
In between games on Sunday, the Pilots will hold a ceremony honoring Jimmy Conway, who was the Director of Coaching for 28 years with the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. Last November, a diagnosis of trauma-induced dementia forced Conway to retire.
