MORAGA, Calif. --- Portland's Natalie Muth scored her first goal of the season with five minutes remaining in regulation, but the Saint Mary's Gaels were able to hold on for a 2-1 win over the Pilots in the West Coast Conference women's soccer opener played on Friday afternoon at Saint Mary's Stadium.
Muth's goal came in the 85th minute with the Pilots (3-7-1, 0-1-0 WCC) trailing their hosts 2-0. Taryn Ries sparked the goal when she reached the endline with possession, left of the post. The freshman then sent a ball towards the top of the six, and that's where Muth hammered a shot inside the far post, making it a 2-1 game. It's the fourth goal during the career of Muth, while Ries claims her first career assist.
From there the Pilots searched for the equalizer, but in the end the Gaels (5-6-0, 1-0 WCC) did just enough defensively to preserve their 2-1 lead.
The game remained scoreless until the 65th minute when the Gaels capitalized on a corner kick. Kaeo Kailana sent a rolling ball towards the top of the box that an SMC player left for Kelsey Hill, who buried a well-struck shot into the top left corner of the net.
The Pilots tried to respond quickly, but Kaycie Young's header at the other end of the field was sent wide of the frame. Young also had a chance earlier when Ellie Winkelmann played a nice ball into the center of the area. Young again got a head on it, this time sending it high and out of play.
The Gaels' second goal came in the 71st minute when Hannah Diaz took advantage of a 1-v-1 opportunity. Portland keeper Rachel Lusby came out to challenge and did get a touch on the shot, but Diaz got just enough on it to sneak it under Lusby and into the goal.
Larkin Russell had Portland's best chance during the first half when she found a loose ball inside the 18-yard box and hit one towards the frame. The Gaels' keeper, Sonja Rajatalo was there for the save as the two sides entered the half tied 0-0.
Just before the Gael's second goal Kimberly Hazlett also had a shot denied by Rajatalo, and Russell had another attempt saved moments later.
"Once we settled down and made our push we saw a great offensive surge and opportunities from Taryn Ries and the goal coming from Natalie Muth with a great finish," Portland head coach Garrett Smith said, "but by then the margin was too big with the time remaining. Overall there were some great moments of play from the team, but to not having anything to show from it was frustrating.
"This road trip has another important game Sunday and the team's response vs. Pacific will hopefully show a different level of intensity and commitment to each other to fight for one another from the opening whistle."
The Pilots now head to Stockton, Calif., for a WCC match against the Pacific Tigers on Sunday. Kickoff at Knoles Field is set for 1 p.m.
