MORAGA, Calif. --- After a scoreless first half, the Saint Mary's Gaels scored twice in the second half, including on a PK in the 82nd minute, to claim a 2-0 win over the Portland Pilots in the West Coast Conference season finale played on Saturday afternoon at Saint Mary's Stadium.
 
The Gaels' (8-9-1, 5-2-0 WCC) first goal came in the 56th minute after the Pilots (3-12-3, 1-6-0 WCC) were called for a foul just off the top right corner of the 18-yard box. Cory Schmidt then sent a nice ball into the center of the box on the ensuing free kick, and Alex Braman was there to finish with a header. Braman's second goal of the year gave the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
 
The lead would remain 1-0 until the Pilots were whistled for a foul inside the area with about eight minutes left, causing the head referee to point to the spot. Schmidt then stepped up and slotted it into the left corner of the net to hand Saint Mary's a two-goal cushion.
 
From there the Pilots pushed to get one back and continued to get deep into the attacking third with possession. But Portland was ultimately unable to find that finishing touch as the Gaels prevailed.
 
Eddie Sanchez and Brandon Zambrano both finished with two shots to lead the Pilots. Zambrano rattled the crossbar in the 34th minute, with a shot that nearly gave the Pilots the lead. Erik Edwardson and Hugo Rhoads then followed with shots during the next few minutes, but both were off target as the two sides entered the halftime locker room tied 0-0.
 
Sanchez pushed one wide following SMC's first goal, and Zambrano sailed a shot high shortly after the Gaels' second goal.
 
Portland goalkeeper Paul Christensen finished with six stops.