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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland freshman Eddie Sanchez had a goal and an assist and goalkeeper Jason Dodson made six saves as the Pilots shutout the Air Force Falcons 4-0 on Friday afternoon at Merlo Field. The Pilots even their record at 2-2-0 with the win, while Air Force drops to 0-4-0.
 
After a steady barrage of shots on the Air Force frame during the first half, Sanchez finally gave Portland a 1-0 lead with his second career goal in the 32nd minute. Fellow freshman Matthew Coffey sparked the play when he sent a long ball forward that found Michael Escobar. Escobar then sent a one-touch chip into the box, where Sanchez finished from about 10 yards out.
 
Moments later, it was Sanchez who fed a ball into the box that found the feet of Thomas Iwasaki. The senior then calmly punched a shot past Air Force keeper Jake Schenk to hand the Pilots the two-goal lead.
 
The Portland defense held the Falcons to just three shots during the game's first 45 minutes, and Dodson, a redshirt-senior, made a pair of quality saves to preserve the UP lead.
 
The Pilots continued to pressure the Falcons in the second half and were rewarded with a penalty kick in the 57th minute when Air Force was called for a foul inside the 18-yard box. Jaime Velasco easily finished on the PK for his first goal this season, giving Portland a comfortable 3-0 lead.
 
Dustin Munger then capped the scoring with his first goal of the season and the second of his career in the 75th minute. Steven Corbett nodded a ball to Escobar, who then freed Munger with a pass near the top of the six-yard box. Munger tapped it past the keeper to make it 4-0.
 
The Pilots finished with a sizable 22-9 edge in shots, while Portland attempted 11 corner kicks on the day.
 
The Pilots return to the Merlo pitch on Sunday for a non-conference tilt with northwest rival Seattle. Kick-off between the Pilots and Redhawks is set for 12 p.m., and the University of Portland will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of UP's 1988 Men's College Cup team with a half-time ceremony.