STOCKTON, Calif. --- The Pacific Tigers scored in the second half before holding on for a 1-0 win over Portland, despite the Pilots sending repeated balls into the 18-yard box during the game's final 20 minutes at Knoles Field on Sunday afternoon. Pacific's win denies Portland a chance at clinching the West Coast Conference Championship, but the Pilots still control their own fate as the Saint Mary's Gaels visit in the season finale at Merlo Field on Saturday night.
 
The loss is Portland's (11-5-1, 5-1-0 WCC) first conference set-back of the season, and it gives the Tigers (12-3-1, 4-1-1 WCC) 13 points, which is just two points behind the first-place Pilots in the league standings.
 
It was Tristan Blackmon who produced the game-winner for the Tigers in the 52nd minute. After a Pacific corner, the ball found the feet of Blackmon, who quickly turned, took a touch, and drove a shot into the left corner of the net from 15 yards out. Blackmon's fourth goal of the year handed the home side a 1-0 lead.
 
The Pilots responded by taking control of possession and sending several balls into the area, courtesy free kicks, crosses and corners. But the Tigers were solid on defense and would preserve the shutout.
 
Possession was fairly even during the first half, but the Pilots had the more dangerous opportunities. In the 19th minute, Benji Michel had possession inside the box and drove a shot towards the right corner of the net. Pacific goalkeeper Curtis Goldsmith made a diving save, but was unable to collect the loose ball. Eddie Sanchez was there for a shot on the rebound, but he hammered the right post as the game remained scoreless.
 
Portland keeper Paul Christensen maintained the scoreless tie when he made a clutch save moments later on a shot from Julio Cervantes. The Pilots continued to create chances from there, claiming three first-half corners, and Matthew Coffey had a pair of shots saved by Goldsmith. The two sides would enter the break level.
 
Both Christensen and Goldsmith finished with four saves on the afternoon.

"I'm very proud of our effort today," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "Pacific is an NCAA top-25 caliber team so full credit to them as they are a good possession team. It was mostly an even game separated by a small margin. We hit the post in the first half and don't score, and they finish their chance in the second half. That's the difference sometimes in a tight contest. When we are fresh we are a different team, but today was our second game in four days and going to double OT in Denver altitude took a lot out of us. Our heads are held high and our group is excited as we turn the page to prepare for a very good Saint Mary's team Saturday night at Merlo Field." 
 
A win over the Gaels on Saturday would give the Pilots the program's first WCC title since 2002, and kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Pilots could also potentially clinch the conference crown, or a share of the title, with a tie, depending on the outcome of Pacific's match at Gonzaga Saturday evening.
 
Saint Mary's enters the season finale with 12 points at 8-7-3 overall and 4-2-0 in the WCC.