Box Score I Photos I Video Highlights
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior Ryan Luke scored twice and senior goalkeeper Austin Guerrero came up with two clutch saves in the closing minutes as the No. 19 Pilots defeated the No. 30 Evansville Purple Aces 2-1 on the final day of Nike Invitational on Sunday at Merlo Field. The win allows Portland (1-0-1) to claim the tournament title.
In Sunday’s first game, Washington defeated Northern Illinois 1-0. In action on Friday night, UP and NIU tied 0-0, while the Aces topped UW 2-1.
After his two-goal performance, Luke was voted the tournament’s most outstanding offensive player. Evansville’s Robby Lynch was named the most outstanding defensive player.
Against the Aces, Luke scored once in the first half and again in the second to give Portland a 2-nil advantage. His second goal came on a spectacular strike off a great feed from junior Michael Nielsen in the 55th minute. Nielsen had possession near the top-left corner of the box when he lofted a soft pass towards the far post. There Luke went airborne to finish on a well-struck one-timer inside the left post.
The score stood at 2-0 until the Aces found the back of the net in the 70th minute. Brandon Causey first attempted a shot from outside the box that was blocked by a Portland defender. The rebound went right to Tad Kreamalmeyer who went top shelf with a chip shot from the top of the box, pulling Evansville within 2-1.
The Aces (1-1-0) then had a couple of good looks at a possible equalizer, but Guerrero showed why he was voted to the All-West Coast Conference Preseason Team. In the 85th minute, a diving Guerrero came out of nowhere to poke away a shot by Schneider Uemen that appeared headed for the left corner of the net.
Then with barely three minutes to play, Guerrero made another crucial save on a hard shot by Irvin Uemen, who attempted to sneak one inside the right post from the left wing. Guerrero got there in time to punch the ball over the crossbar.
Both Guerrero and his Evansville counterpart Phil Boerger finished with five saves on the day. UP held a slim 15-14 advantage in shots, while both teams had four corner kicks.
Luke got the scoring started with his first goal of the young season in the 24th minute. This time it was freshman Steven Evans to send in a well-placed service from the left touch line. Luke easily headed the ball into the left corner of the net as Portland took a 1-0 lead.
The Pilots next travel to Albuquerque, N.M., for a tournament hosted by the New Mexico Lobos next weekend. On Friday, Portland is set to play Denver at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific). Then on Sunday, UP will play the host Lobos at 12:00 p.m.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
