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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Thomas Peterson scored his second goal of the season, but in the end it was the Saint Mary's Gaels who left Merlo Field with a 3-1 win over the Pilots on Sunday afternoon in the final home game of 2014. The Gaels (10-5-2, 3-2-0 WCC) scored once in the first half and twice after the break en route to the win.
 
The Pilots (4-10-4, 0-5-1 WCC) had a couple of early chances, and sophomore Eddie Sanchez drilled the crossbar with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box in the fifth minute. Moments later on a corner kick, sophomore Geoffrey Dunn was left un-marked inside the area, but his header was smothered by SMC goalkeeper Andre Rawls near the right post.
 
Meanwhile at the other end of the field, the Gaels were awarded a penalty shot when a foul was called against the Pilots on an SMC corner kick. But on the attempt, Portland's freshman goalkeeper Paul Christensen came through with a spectacular save to keep the game scoreless. It's the second time this season Christensen has denied a PK.
 
The Gaels would then take a 1-0 lead with a goal late in the first half. Rafael Sanchez sent a long pass out wide, where Austin Allison one-touched a pass into the box. That's where Antonio Lokossou was able to finish inside the left post with a sliding shot that allowed the Gaels to take the one-goal lead into the locker room.
 
In the 56th minute Portland nearly equalized when junior Hugo Rhoads whipped a dangerous ball in towards the right post. Sophomore Rory Johnston then headed it towards the frame where it was somehow saved by Rawls. The keeper then recovered in time to save another header, this time from freshman Erik Edwardson only seconds later.
 
And then in the 67th minute, the Gaels claimed a 2-0 lead on an impressive goal by Will Kendall. On a free kick, Sanchez sent a cross towards the six-yard box. Kendall made a slashing run and flicked it in with the outside of his left foot for his third goal of the fall.
 
The Pilots would take one back in the 71st minute courtesy the goal by Peterson. The Pilots went short on a corner and Rhoads gained possession and dribbled along the end line. He then sent a short pass into the center of the box where Peterson punched it into the net to make a 2-1 game.
 
But the Gaels had an answer, and it came on yet another cross from Sanchez. This time Alex Braman was on the finishing end with a header that looked like it was initially saved by Christensen. But the ball just did trickle past the goal line to give Saint Mary's a 3-1 lead.
 
The Pilots, now playing a man-down due to a red card in the 73rd minute, refused to falter and still crated dangerous chances during the final 17 minutes of regulation. Edwardson had a shot saved from 10 yards out in the 79th minute, and Portland would finish with a 16-11 edge in overall shots.
 
Christensen finished with two saves, while Rawls claimed seven.
 
The game marked the final appearance at Merlo Field for Portland's five seniors as Derek Boggs, Steven Corbett, Michael Escobar, Kyle Foster and Matt Liberator were honored with a pre-game ceremony.
 
The Pilots next conclude the 2014 season with a road match at northwest rival Gonzaga on Saturday. Kickoff at Luger Field is set for 1 p.m. in Spokane, Wash.