Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The San Diego Toreros scored an early penalty kick then added a second half insurance goal to come away with a 2-0 win over the Portland Pilots Sunday afternoon in West Coast Conference men's soccer action at Merlo Field. The Toreros improve to 4-0 in league play with victory and 8-4-4 overall. Portland drops to 4-8-4 and 0-3-1 in WCC play.

The Toreros took the early lead after being awarded a penalty kick on a hand ball in the box by the Pilots in the 19th minute. Connor Brandt stepped to the spot and buried the ball into the lower left corner for the 1-0 lead.

San Diego doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when a corner kick led to a flurry of activity in the goal box. Christensen saved the initial shot attempt and two more Torero shots were blocked before Merlin Hoeckendorff cleaned up the mess and buried the shot to the open net.

Portland's best scoring chances came late when sophomore Eddie Sanchez was denied by goalkeeper Thomas Olsen on a 20-yard free kick attempt in the 74th minute. On the ensuing corner kick freshmen Brandon Zambrano sprung free, but his initial shot from five yards was blocked and his toe-poke rebound missed wide.

Christensen kept the Pilots in the game by recording eight saves on the day, while Olsen made just the one save.

San Diego racked up 19 shots and nine corner kicks, while Portland tallied eight shots and eight corners.

Portland will head south next Friday to face the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, Calif. at 7 p.m. The Pilots will then return to Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex for Senior Day on Sunday, Nov. 9 versus Saint Mary's. Portland's four seniors will be honored just prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff.