PORTLAND, Ore. --- After 91 minutes of scoreless soccer, Portland senior Hanna Armendariz buried the game-winner in the first overtime as the Pilots claimed a thrilling 1-0 over the San Jose State Spartans on Friday night at Merlo Field. It's the second straight win to open the season for the Pilots, as first-year head coach Michelle French opens her career 2-0-0.
The goal came after the Pilots gained possession in the 92nd minute, and Kimberly Hazlett played a ball into the box to Taryn Ries. Ries took a few touches before sending a cross that found the feet of an unmarked Armendariz, who stay composed and easily finished past the keeper from six yards out.
It's the first career goal for Armendariz, and both Hazlett and Ries earned an assist.
The Pilots won the battle of possession for most of the night, and they consistently created more dangerous opportunities. In the 22nd minute, Larkin Russell tried to go near post with a left-footed shot, but San Jose State (0-2-0) keeper Paige Simoneau was there for the save.
Ries hit one high after an attempted clearance by the Spartans in the 27th minute, and Sydney Warren sent a header wide of the left post moments later. Hazlett set up the Warren chance when she did well to keep possession, avoid a pair of defenders, and sent a great cross towards the center of the box.
After the two teams entered the locker room scoreless at the half, Hazlett hit a shot wide in the 47th minute. In the 60th minute, Larkin Russell had possession near the top of the box, took a touch, and struck an attempt high.
In the 69th minute, a nice ball into the area set up a shot from Jasmine Garibay, but her attempt from point blank ranged was denied by Simoneau. The Pilots then searched for the winner during the final minutes of regulation, and Russell nearly found it after receiving a pass from Ries. But her shot from the top of the box ended up in the arms of Simoneau as the game went to OT.
The Pilots finished with a 14-8 advantage in shots, and Portland goalkeeper Rachel Lusby was forced into making just one save. The stop came a on a deflected shot in the 16th minute when she dove to push it wide of the left post. Simoneau collected five stops on the night.
Next up for Portland is a visit from the Washington Huskies on Sunday night, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. The game will be followed by the UP men's contest against Syracuse.
Friday night marked the return to Merlo Field for program alum and SJSU head coach Lauren Hanson. Hanson was a three-time All-American for the Pilots, and she won a national title in 2002. She was also an assistant coach for Portland following her career, and it was recently announced that she'll be inducted into the UP Athletics Hall of Fame.
