Box Score
SEATTLE, Wash. --- Portland notched another early goal and three different players scored as the No. 20 Pilots cruised to a 3-0 win over the No. 22 La Salle Explorers on the final day of the Husky/Nike Invitational at Husky Soccer Stadium on Sunday. The Pilots won both their games in Seattle, outscoring the opposition 8-0, to claim the tournament title.
UP junior forward Amanda Frisbie was named the Offensive MVP for the tournament after scoring four goals during Portland’s 5-0 win over Fresno State on Friday. Washington’s Stine Schoening nabbed defensive MVP honors.
It’s the third straight win for the Pilots (4-1-0) and it’s the second win this season for Portland against a ranked opponent. The Explorers fall to 2-2-0 on the year.
“We had two great results during the weekend, and that was exactly what we needed to do,” head coach Garrett Smith said. “To score eight goals and not give up a goal is nice to see, and it sets us up well for a big test next weekend.”
Kendall Johnson continued Portland’s habit of scoring early goals this season when she registered her first goal in nearly two years with a brilliant strike in the fifth minute. The redshirt-junior defender crushed a shot from about 18 yards out that grazed the cross bar before settling into the net. Johnson missed all of last season due to an injury.
Portland was then able to push the lead to 2-0 before the half when junior Micaela Capelle found the back of the net for her second goal of the fall. Freshman Noelle La Prevotte slotted a pass through to Capelle, who was making a diagonal run. The Gresham native then beat one defender before sending it past the keeper and into the net.
Junior Kaila Cameli then capped the scoring for the Pilots with her second goal in as many games to make it 3-0 in the 56th minute.
The Pilots dominated possession and continued to penetrate deep into La Salle territory, repeatedly reaching the end line and sending crosses into the penalty area. Portland finished the game with a 20-9 edge in shots, while 11 of UP’s attempts were on-target.
The backline was once again solid as the Pilots recorded their fourth shutout of the year. Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Nichole Downing started her second straight match and made four saves to preserve the blank sheet.
La Salle goalkeeper Gabby Pakhtigan was kept busy all day long by the Portland attack, finishing with eight saves.
Portland next welcomes perennial power Notre Dame to Merlo Field for a non-conference game on Friday night. Kickoff between the Pilots and Fighting Irish is set for 7 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to coming home and playing a quality opponent in front of our fans,” noted Smith. “It will be nice to have our entire student body there, and it should be a special night.”
