Box Score I
Photo Gallery
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots nearly came back from a two-goal deficit, but the San Diego Toreros would hold on for a 2-1 West Coast Conference victory played on a wet Friday night at Merlo Field. USD prevailed despite the Pilots holding a 14-6 edge in shots for the game and an 8-3 advantage in the second half.
Already down 1-0, the Pilots (5-7-1, 0-2-0 WCC) fell behind by two goals after Mariah Butera finished inside the left post in the 59th minute. That’s when a determined Portland side struck back with Micaela Capelle’s second goal of the season only moments later.
On the goal, Kaila Cameli sent a ball out wide to Michelle Cruz, who drilled a cross towards the top of the six-yard box. That’s where Capelle finished with a powerful header, making it just a one-goal deficit with 29 minutes to play.
The Pilots took over control of possession from there, trying to penetrate the USD defense. Portland senior Danielle Foxhoven had two great looks at an equalizer during the game’s final 15 minutes, with her first shot skipping wide of the left post in the 80th minute.
Then in the 82nd minute, Foxhoven found the ball at her feet right in front of the San Diego net. But USD goalkeeper Courtney Parsons was somehow able to recover and stop Foxhoven’s attempt at an equalizer.
UP had four more cracks at goal following Foxhoven’s shot, but the Toreros would hang on to hand the Pilots their first WCC loss at home since 2002. UP went 26-0-2 against conference foes at Merlo Field during that time, including 16 straight wins. San Francisco was the last WCC team to walk out of Merlo Field without a loss when the Dons tied the Pilots 1-1 in 2006.
USD’s (7-7-0, 2-1-0 WCC) first goal came from Stephanie Ochs, who buried a world class strike in the 37th minute. Ochs took a couple of touches near the top of the Portland 18-yard box before sending a well-hit ball inside the top left corner of the net, avoiding Portland goalkeeper Hailee DeYoung. Ochs also assisted on Butera’s goal in the second half.
DeYoung had one save, while Parsons had five.
The Pilots next shift their attention to the Saint Mary’s Gaels, who visit on Sunday for a 1 p.m. WCC match.
