Box Score Video Highlights

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Senior Michael Escobar broke a scoreless first half with a strike from 30 yards out, making the Pilots 1-0 winners over the Gonzaga Bulldogs Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field.
 
The contest was a nonconference match between the West Coast Conference schools. Portland improves to 4-5-3 with the win, while Gonzaga falls to 2-9-0.
 
Fielding a loose ball, an unchallenged Escobar blasted a shot to the left post to give the Pilots the lead in the 39th minute. The unassisted goal was Escobar's second of the season and his first game winner.
 
Portland's back line held strong as Gonzaga upped the pressure late in the contest. The Pilots cleared four corner kicks over the final 12 minutes of play, preserving the team's third shutout of the season.
 
Portland almost opened the scoring in the 13th minute when freshman Erik Edwardson fed a through ball to sophomore Eddie Sanchez. Sanchez, beating two defenders on his run, drilled a shot towards the left post. Gonzaga's keeper deflected the shot over the crossbar to keep the Pilots off the board.
 
The Pilots nearly took a 2-0 advantage in the 62nd minute. A few yards from the endline on the right side, sophomore Thomas Peterson sent a shot past an outstretched keeper. The angle was too severe, however, as the ball missed the left post.
 
The Bulldogs first opportunity for an equalizer came in the 50th minute. Less than a minute after a free kick from the top of the box sailed high, a header attempt from a Gonzaga corner missed to the right. Lars Ludwigs took both chances for the Bulldogs.
 
Strikers on both sides were active as both teams attempted 14 shots.
 
Portland begins conference play on Friday, travelling to San Francisco for a 7:00 PM game.