ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, the NCAA First Round match between Portland and New Mexico went to a dramatic penalty shootout, and after clutch saves and makes by both sides, the No. 22 Lobos finally prevailed over the Pilots 6-5. The loss ends a historic season for the Pilots, who won the West Coast Conference Championship and were making their 15th NCAA Postseason appearance on Thursday night at the UNM Soccer Complex.

The shootout was needed after neither side was able to find the back of the net during 90 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtimes. The Lobos attempted the first PK, and Portland keeper Paul Christensen got a touch on it before it ended up in the back of the net.

The Pilots then leveled the shootout 1-1 before the Lobos surged ahead 3-1 and were on the verge of advancing, needing just one more make. That's when Christensen had to come through for the Pilots, and just like he has all season long the junior produced, denying the Lobos' attempt to clinch the PK's.

Portland's Kris Reaves then stepped to the spot and slotted one in to extend the shootout with the Pilots now within 3-2. The Lobos followed with another chance to end it, and Christensen again knocked down the would-be winner, continuing Portland's night.

Next up for Portland was Matthew Coffey, who calmly leveled the PK's 3-3, continuing the shootout into extra attempts. The Lobos then blasted one high, and only moments after the Pilots were down two, they now had a chance to win.

But this time it was Jason Beaulieu's, the New Mexico keeper, chance to come through in the clutch, and he did just that, saving the Pilots' PK.

The two teams then exchanged a handful of made penalties before the Lobos went up 6-5, and that's when Beaulieu stopped another one, sending the Lobos to the next round to face Washington.

"I'm so very proud of this team," Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt said. "I love every one of my players and can't thank them enough for creating such a magical year. The best part of my day is always working with them. They truly embodied and embraced what it means to play for a cause bigger than yourself. They earned the respect of their City, University, alumni and Portland Soccer community. The future is bright on The Bluff and we will only continue to grow and evolve in our mission."

The game was evenly played as both teams defended well and created a handful of quality chances. Rey Ortiz provided perhaps Portland's best scoring chance of the first half on a free kick in the 43rd minute. From 30 yards out, he whipped in a dangerous ball towards the far post that initially froze Beaulieu. But the ball was just wide of the upper corner, and the Pilots couldn't get connect with that final touch as the two sides entered the locker room at half tied 0-0.

The Lobos got off a couple of dangerous shots after the break, but Christensen was there with the denial both times. He stopped a driven shot by Devin Boyce from 20 yards out in the 58th minute, and he again came through with an alert, diving save on a shot from Niko Hansen in the 62nd minute.

In the 77th minute, Ortiz nearly gave the Portland the one-goal lead. He gained possession about 25 yards out, took a couple touches into the box, and had the New Mexico keeper beat with a shot, but Lobo defender Aaron Herrera was there to head it off the line.

The Pilots couldn't capitalize on the ensuing corner, and Christensen registered another key save at the other end of the field.

From there possession was split and the game headed to extra time. The first OT ended scoreless, and Christensen kept it 0-0 with another crucial save in the 104th minute. A cross came in from the left and Hansen got a head on it from point-blank range. But there was Christensen to again deny the shot with his sixth save of the game.

The Pilots were without the services of WCC Player of the Year Eddie Sanchez, who was forced to sit out due to yellow card accumulation.

"They left it all out on the field tonight and we were one PK away from advancing," added Carlin-Voigt, who was in his first year at the helm of the UP program. "PK's are cruel and tonight it hurts as we wanted to keep playing. This group just never stops believing in each other. I thought we had a lot of the possession but found it hard to break down New Mexico in the final third. It goes without saying that we missed Eddie Sanchez tonight as he's unlocked teams all year. We rotated the ball well and played with a good tempo.  Credit to New Mexico as they are a balanced team who are good at home. They have a very good back four which keeps them organized defensively. They have two senior attacking players who make them go and I thought we defended them incredibly well as we posted another shutout. Our back four was amazing tonight. Rey Ortiz had an almost for sure goal cleared off the line late in the second half, which was an incredible play by their right back. In the tight game, you need a play or bounce to go your way.  Paul Christensen had an amazing game tonight was rock solid all season in goal."

The game goes into the books as a tie as the Pilots finish 12-5-2 on the year. The Lobos improve to 12-6-3.

"Overall the guys will look back and be incredibly proud of all they accomplished," Carlin-Voigt said of the Pilots, who won their first WCC title since 2002. "They built a championship culture the right way that the younger guys will now protect and grow. They helped re-energize the program and earned everything that came their way. Nothing was ever given to this group and I can't speak highly enough of their courage, belief and character.
 
"Lastly, I want to mention how much respect and appreciation I have for our nine seniors (Baeza, Dunn, Garcia-Cabello, Conor and Rory Johnston, Peterson, Sanchez, Trah, van der Velde). They didn't always end up with stats or in the box score but more importantly they drove the culture to make our Pilot Revolution come alive. They took care of the details both on and off the field and always worked diligently to push this vision forward. They are the unsung heros of our year and the glue of our championship team. They can have a sound piece of mind as they leave the program better than they found it.  
 
"Thank you to all of the fans who supported our team this year. We couldn't have done it without you!"