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PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots created chances throughout the game, but in the end it was the No. 11 Pepperdine Waves who claimed a 1-0 West Coast Conference win on a cool Friday night at Merlo Field.
 
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half despite both sides having quality opportunities. Portland (5-8-2, 2-3-0 WCC) sophomore Danica Evans nearly gave the lead to the Pilots in the 43rd minute when she was on the receiving end of a nice ball from Emily Sippel. But Evans' attempt was just wide of the right post from a tough angle about 12 yards out.
 
Moments later it was freshman Madeline Dieker who found herself with possession in the box, but her shot was wide left of the frame.
 
Meanwhile at the other end of the field, the Portland defense and sophomore goalkeeper Hanna de Haan did well to contain and deny Pepperdine's high-scoring senior forward Lynn Williams. As was the case all night, de Haan repeatedly denied every shot by Williams and the Waves, including in the 29th minute when she knocked away a Williams' shot from point-blank range.
 
The second half began with UP's Allison Wetherington driving a shot high, and the game would remain scoreless until the 53rd minute. That's when Pepperdine's Ally Holtz had possession inside the left edge of the box before sending a ball towards the penalty area. Kristen Williams then placed a shot into the right corner of the net with a one-touch re-direct to hand the Waves the one-goal lead.
 
Portland searched for the equalizer and Sippel hit a powerful shot towards the left post in the 63rd minute. Pepperdine keeper Hannah Seabert was there to make a diving stop.
 
Late in the match Sippel found Dieker with a great ball, and Dieker tried to go with a first-time finish that forced Seabert into making another nice save. Sippel then had one final chance in the 87th minute when she took a couple of touches to create some space just inside the top of the 18. She then sent a well-hit shot that was wide of the right post by mere inches.
 
De Haan was solid in goal for the Pilots, finishing with a remarkable 15 saves.
 
The Pilots next play their final regular season home game on Sunday when the LMU Lions visit for a 1 p.m. match. Portland will honor its three seniors, Rebekah Kurle, Lorielle McCluskie and Sippel, with a pre-game ceremony.