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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Micaela Capelle set up both Portland goals and Amanda Frisbie notched the game-winner in the 49th minute as the No. 23 Pilots defeated the Southern California Trojans 2-1 in a non-conference match at Merlo Field on Sunday afternoon. Both of Frisbie’s goals this season have been game-winners.
The win, which is the third this season for UP over a Pac-12 opponent, evens Portland’s record at 4-4-1. USC drops its third straight to fall to 3-6-0.
It was Ellen Parker who gave the Pilots an early lead with a goal in the third minute. Capelle worker her way free along the end-line before finding an un-marked Parker in the middle of the 18-yard box. Parker finished with authority to give the Pilots the lead on easily their earliest goal of the season.
USC weathered the early UP onslaught and would equalize just 13 minutes later. Elizabeth Eddy was the recipient of a perfectly timed thru ball before cracking a shot, which was saved by Portland goalkeeper Hailee DeYoung. But Ashley Freyer was in the right place at the right time to put away the rebound and tie the score at 1-1.
The second half began much the same way as the first as the Pilots came out of the break on the attack. Three minutes in, Danielle Foxhoven fed Capelle near the right sideline. The sophomore forward was then able to out-run the USC backline, forcing goalkeeper Shelby Church to come off her line to challenge. That’s when Capelle fed Frisbie right in front of the net as the Pilots re-claimed the one-goal advantage.
The Pilots would hold on for the win, but not until after the Trojans nearly equalized again, this time in the 53rd minute. On a free kick, Freyer had a header bounce off the right post. Kristina Noriega tried to head in the rebound, but UP defender Michelle Olivier was there to head the shot off the goal line.
Capelle had two assists for the Pilots, giving her four on the season. Frisbie also assisted on Portland’s first goal, which was the first this fall for Parker.
DeYoung finished with two saves, while Church had two for the Trojans. USC also had a team save, which came on a shot by Foxhoven in the 28th minute. Foxhoven’s strike appeared headed for the open net, but it was knocked down by a USC defender.
UP held a 13-9 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Pilots next travel to Southern California for a pair of non-conference matches. On Thursday night, UP is set to face No. 15 UC Irvine at 7 p.m. Then on Sunday, Cal State Northridge will host the Pilots for a 2 p.m. game.
Sunday marked the return of a pair of UP alums to Merlo Field as Megan Rapinoe and Sophie Schmidt were honored with a half-time ceremony. Rapinoe (USA) and Schmidt (Canada) both played pivotal roles during last summer’s World Cup and both will be on the pitch at Jeld-Wen Field in downtown Portland on Thursday night as the U.S. Women’s National Team battles Team Canada.
