LEXINGTON, Ky. --- The third-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, who entered the night riding an eight-match winning streak, defeated the No. 21 Portland Pilots 4-0 on Sunday in an NCAA Second Round game played at the Bell Soccer Complex. The loss ends the season for the Pilots, while Kentucky moves on to the Sweet 16.
 
Both J.J. Williams and Kalil ElMedkhar scored twice for the Wildcats, who feature one of the top offenses in the country.
 
"While tonight didn't end the way we wanted I could not be more proud of this group," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "At the end of day my job is to help develop young men and I couldn't be more proud of our five seniors. They were central to some very important historical milestones in the program that centered around culture building, academic performance and on field achievement. These guys won their first WCC Championship since 2001. They hosted and won their first NCAA playoff game since 2002. We opened the season going 10-0-3 which was the best start since 1995, rising up to the top 10 in all the national rankings.
 
"Above all their legacy will be the fact they left the program better than they found it and developed into fine student-athletes totally committed to reaching their full potential. Thank you Kienan Weekes, Brennan Weber, Shane Aranda, Lionel Mills, and Malcolm Dixon for your dedication and service to the University of Portland and our soccer program."

Neither team created many chances early in the first half, but Portland goalkeeper Kienan Weekes did make a clutch save in the 23rd minute. ElMedkhar hit one from near the top of the box trying to find the corner of the net, and Weekes made the diving save to keep the game scoreless.
 
Moments later Gio Magana-Rivera had Portland's best opportunity of the first half when he hit a half-volley from 20 yards out that was dipping as it reached the Kentucky frame. Enrique Facusse, the UK keeper, was there to tip the shot over the crossbar, and the Pilots were unable to capitalize on the ensuing corner kick.
 
Weekes made another solid save for the Pilots in the 40th minute, but the Wildcats would take a 1-0 lead late in the first half when they intercepted a pass before finding the feet of ElMedkhar. This time the sophomore didn't miss as he planted a shot into the back of the net from 12 yards out. It's the 10th goal of the year for Elmedkhar, and Jason Reyes and Sam Stockton each earned an assist.
 
Kentucky then pushed their lead to 2-nil early in the second half as Williams gained possession just outside the box, worked his way through traffic, and snuck a shot inside the far post from a tough angle. It's the 17th goal this fall for Williams, who entered the match third nationally in goals.
 
The Wildcats continued to attack the final third from there, and Weekes came through a couple of more times with some stellar stops. But in the 60th minute, ElMedkhar collected his second goal of the night after finishing on a perfectly timed through ball from Williams.
 
The Pilots looked for an immediate response, and they nearly found it when Magana-Rivera hit a well-struck shot towards the left post. Facusse was there with a diving save, preserving the shutout.
 
Williams followed with his second goal of the night after a nice ball created a 1-v-1, and Kentucky was on top 4-0.
 
Portland did have some chances late, and Alejandro Pereira hit one wide in the 71st minute. A few minutes later Malcolm Dixon had a decent attempt saved by Facusse, who notched his nation-leading 14th clean sheet of the season.
 
The Pilots end their season with a 12-4-3 record, while Kentucky (18-1-1) extends their winning streak to nine straight, and they advance to face either Central Florida or Lipscomb in the next round.
 
Portland was making its second NCAA Playoff appearance in the last three years, and it's the program's 16th overall playoff visit. The Pilots reached the second round with a 1-0 win over UCLA last Thursday at Merlo Field.