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PORTLAND, Ore. --- After conceding a goal in the 15th minute to fourth-ranked Florida State, the No. 7 Portland Pilots stormed back to defeat the Seminoles 2-1 in the season opener on a bright and warm Sunday evening at Merlo Field. Portland senior Danielle Foxhoven scored both of UP’s goals, with the second coming on a penalty kick with just 44 seconds remaining in the first half.
The Pilots then survived a barrage of second-half shots by Seminoles to open the 2011 season with a 1-0-0 record. FSU drops to 1-1-0.
Florida State’s goal came when FSU goalkeeper Kelsey Wys sent a perfect ball over the top that Tiffany McCarty ran on to. McCarty then avoided a hard-charging Hailee DeYoung, Portland’s keeper, to easily finish in the wide open net.
The Pilots then trailed by the 1-nil deficit for the next 22 minutes. That’s when Foxhoven gained possession in the middle of the field, took a few touches, and cracked a shot past a frozen Wys into the left corner of the net.
And just when it appeared the two sides would enter the half-time locker room knotted up at 1-1, UP sophomore Micaela Capelle earned a penalty kick for the Pilots after being taken down from behind in FSU’s 18-yard box.
Foxhoven then easily connected on the PK to give Portland a 2-1 lead that would stand for the next 45 minutes.
The Seminoles didn’t go away quietly as they blasted 14 shots during the second half. But Portland held on, courtesy three saves by DeYoung and a pair of team saves. Florida State finished with a 22-11 edge in total shots, while both teams had four corner kicks.
The Pilots next set their sights on northwest rival Washington State on Friday night. The Cougars will visit Merlo Field for a 7 p.m. non-conference match.
