Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- After both teams scored early, the Saint Mary's Gaels scored late to defeat the Portland Pilots 2-1 in overtime on a cold, wet and blustery night at Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex on Friday. Bobby Connor scored both goals for the Gaels, including the game-winner in the 93rd minute.
 
Connors' two goals were scored in similar fashion, with the first coming on a header on a corner sent in by Michael Semenza in the third minute. Connor placed his header perfectly inside the net from the center of the 18-yard box.
 
The lead was short-lived, however, as the Pilots (8-11-0, 3-8-0 WCC) responded just six minutes later. Freshman Matthew Coffey ran onto a ball that was flicked on by the Pilots near the half-way line. And after battling to win possession from a Gaels' defender, Coffey took a couple of touches near the endline before finishing into the right corner of the net from a tight angle near the left post. It's Coffey's first career goal and it evened the score at 1-1.
 
The scored would remain 1-1 for the next 85 minutes, despite a handful of quality chances from both teams. The two sides had their best opportunities going towards the north goal of Merlo Field, which was going in the same direction as the wind.
 
Hugo Rhoads sent in a couple dangerous balls on free kicks in the first half that SMC (7-8-2, 5-4-2 WCC) goalkeeper Lucas Champenois struggled to deal with. Thomas Iwasaki and Jaime Velasco also had shots saved by Champenois in the 19th and 24th minutes, respectively.
 
In the second half, Portland goalkeeper Justin Baarts countered with a couple of big-time stops of his own. On a 1-v-1 opportunity in the 68th minute, Baarts came off his line to challenge and forced a shot from Semenza wide of the right post.
 
Baarts then made a crucial kick save in another 1-v-1 situation on a shot from point blank range by Carlo Eikani.
 
But three minutes into overtime, there wasn't much Baarts could do when Conner recorded the game-winner on a powerful header, courtesy another ball sent in by Semenza. The goal is Connor's third of the season.
 
The Gaels claimed a slim 13-11 edge in shots, and both teams had six corner kicks.
 
Baarts had four saves, while Champenois had the two in the first half.
 
The Pilots next conclude the regular season at home on Sunday against the San Francisco Dons. Kickoff at Merlo Field is set for 1 p.m., and the Pilots will honor seniors Justin and Tyler Baarts, Jason Dodson, Alex Gatewood and Thomas Iwasaki with a pre-game ceremony.