PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior Noelle La Prevotte scored the game-winner in the first half and freshman goalkeeper Rachel Lusby recorded a pair of saves as the Pilots shutout Gonzaga 1-0 in a West Coast Conference women's soccer game played on a soggy Saturday evening at Merlo Field. The blank sheet is the second career shutout for Lusby.
 
It's also the fourth goal of the year for La Prevotte, which matches freshman teammate Cecilia Pedersen for the team-high. It came exactly 31 minutes into the game and it was set up by Allison Wetherington, who whipped a ball into the box from left of the 18. The ball was loose momentarily before it ended up at the feet of La Prevotte, who turned and buried a shot with her left foot inside the right post.
 
Pedersen earned her third assist on the goal, which would stand until the end of regulation.
 
Portland (7-11-0, 3-5-0 WCC) nearly pushed the lead to two goals multiple times during the second half. In the 49th minute, Ellie Boon had possession and made a nice run up the far touch line. She eventually worked her way around two Gonzaga players, getting all the way to the end line before finding La Prevotte with a perfect pass. La Prevotte then drove a well-hit shot towards the frame, but it was deflected before Gonzaga (2-11-5, 1-6-1 WCC) goalkeeper Christie Tombari made the save.
 
Moments later Boon decided to take a shot herself, drilling a ball from 25 yards out. Tombari again came through with a save, keeping the Bulldog deficit at 1-0. And then in the 62nd minute Hannah Griffiths Boston tried to go top shelf with a shot from the top of the box, but his time Tombari tipped it over the cross bar and out for a Portland corner.
 
From there the Zags pushed for the equalizer, but the Pilots did well defending to preserve the shutout, their fourth of the year.
 
Next up for the Pilots is the regular season finale next Saturday against the San Francisco Dons. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the Pilots will honor their two seniors, La Prevotte and Haylee DeGrood, with a pre-game ceremony.