PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots consistently put together quality possession throughout the match against No. 19 Santa Clara on Sunday afternoon, but in the end a late first-half goal by Janae Gonzalez proved to be the difference as the Broncos escaped Merlo Field with a 1-0 win. The game was broadcast live nationally on ESPNU.
 
Portland (6-9-0, 2-3-0 WCC) did well defensively, limiting the Broncos to just one shot for most of the first half. Meanwhile the Pilots attacked the final third early, getting two shots on-goal and three total during the game's first seven minutes. Parkes Kendrick had a shot from just in front of the frame blocked in the fourth minute, and Noelle La Prevotte had her shot saved moments later.
 
Santa Clara's (10-5-0, 3-1-0 WCC) goalkeeper Andi Tostanoski made a pair of saves during the first 45 minutes, helping keep the game scoreless. And then in the 44th minute, Jessica Jara played a long ball to Gonzalez, who took a couple of touches towards the top of the 18. She then sent a well-hit shot into the top right corner of the net, handing the Broncos the 1-0 lead just before the half.
 
The Pilots continued to look good in possession during the second half and they nearly tallied the equalizer a handful of times during a ten-minute stretch. In the 66th minute, La Prevotte drilled a shot towards the SCU goal, but the effort from 15 yards out was just high of the cross bar.
 
Kendrick then sent a ball across the top of the six from right of the right post, but the Pilots were unable to connect with the finishing touch. La Prevotte then had a shot saved as Tostanoski, who finished with four stops to preserve the shutout.
 
Both teams took seven shots and the Pilots held a slight 5-3 edge in corner kicks and a 4-3 advantage in shots on-goal. Portland freshman keeper Rachel Lusby registered two saves on the afternoon, but outside of the Santa Clara goal was never seriously threatened.
 
The Pilots celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their 2005 NCAA National Championship on Sunday, and most members from that 2005 team were present for a half-time ceremony.
 
The Pilots next head to Southern California for their final West Coast Conference road trip of the season. On Friday, the LMU Lions will host the Pilots for a 7 p.m. game at Sullivan Field in Los Angeles. Sunday brings a 1 p.m. game against the Pepperdine Waves in Malibu.