PORTLAND, Ore. --- Five different Pilots scored and Rey Ortiz and Brandon Zambrano each registered two assists, as Portland rolled to a 5-0 shutout win over the Cal State Fullerton Titans on a hazy Monday night at Merlo Field. The game concluded the 2017 Nike Portland Invitational, which also featured Seattle U.
Ortiz added a goal to his two assists, and his six assists this season lead the country. Benji Michel also scored for the Pilots, as the sophomore is tied for lead nationally with five goals.
But it was Gio Magana-Rivera who claimed the game-winner after scoring his second goal of the year in the 21st minute. Jason Romero hit the initial shot towards the frame that was saved by Cal State Fullerton (2-2-0) keeper Paul-Andre Guerin, who was unable to control it. The ball then fell to the feet of Magana-Rivera near the top of the box, and the sophomore struck a shot that was blocked. Brandon Zambrano was there to flick it back to Magana-Rivera, and this time he found the target to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
The Titans had a few chances following the Portland (3-1-0) goal, including in the 28th minute when Mark Hernandez whipped in a corner. He found the feet of Bass Sarr near the left post, and he sent a shot that appeared destined for the right corner of the net. But Ortiz was at the right place at the right time to send it away, preserving the lead.
Ortiz then pushed the advantage to 2-0 with a world class goal in the 51st minute. He gained possession near the right touch line, took a couple of touches towards the top of the 18, and cut left to create some space. He then hammered a shot inside the left post for his second goal of the season.
In the 60th minute, Ortiz set up the Michel goal when he sent a perfectly weighted ball over the top, which Michel ran on to. Michel then made his way into the 18, made a couple of moves to avoid a defender and the keeper, and slotted one in.
Ortiz earned his second assist in the 78th minute when he found Erik Edwardson just inside the box. Edwardson then sent a first-time cross to freshman Luke Hendel, who finished for his first career goal, making it a comfortable 4-0 Portland lead.
The lead would swell to 5-0 when freshman Caua Soares opened his account, with another impressive goal. Zambrano fed Soares with a pass just outside the area, and Soares finished first time inside the left post. Zambrano notched his second assist on the goal.
"The guys put together another complete performance," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "We scored some great goals tonight from team combination play. We challenged the guys to give a spark coming off the bench and I was very pleased for Luke Hendel and Caua Soares to get their first goals in a Pilot uniform. Being a good team in college soccer means you have depth and multiple options in different formations. In the second half we made a few changes that helped us play higher up the field. Fullerton had good moments as well in the game and will have another solid season."
Portland senior goalie Paul Christensen claims his second shutout of the year, making a pair of stops.
Next week the Pilots remain at home to host the Cal Bears on Saturday night. Kickoff at Merlo Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.
"Very pleased to have completed a solid weekend at home as we now turn our attention to Cal, who are a storied Pac-12 program," added Carlin-Voigt. "The encouraging thing is we still have a lot of room for growth and the guys aren't content and want to continue to learn. All we can do is move forward and try to get better on both sides of the ball. I was pleased we didn't take our foot off the pedal and after we scored the second goal the guys remained hungry and determined to keep attacking."
