PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Washington Huskies scored the game's only goal in the 71st minute as they escaped Merlo Field with a 1-0 win over the Portland Pilots in a non-conference match played on Sunday evening. The loss is the first of the season for the Pilots, who opened the campaign with consecutive shutout wins to begin the Michelle French era.

The Pilots (2-1-0) and Huskies (2-1-0) played 70 minutes of scoreless soccer before the Huskies broke through in the second half. Pascale Dumesnil found Olivia Van der Jagt with a short pass near the top of the box, and Van der Jagt buried one into the upper 90 with a well-struck shot to make a 1-nil game. It's the second goal of the year for Van der Jagt.

From there the Pilots searched for the equalizer, and in the 81st minute they nearly found it. UW struggled to clear a Portland corner out of the box, and during the scramble Natalie Muth gained possession for the Pilots. Muth was able to get around the defender before trying to finish from a tough angle, but Washington keeper Siena Ruelas was there for the save.

Then in the 88th minute it seemed as if the Pilots had earned a penalty after Taryn Ries, who had possession, appeared to have been fouled inside the 18. But the ref waved it off, and the game continued despite the vocal disapproval from the home crowd. The Portland bench was also shown a yellow in defiance of the non-call, and the Huskies would eventually hold on for the win.

Neither team created much offense during the first half, and Kimberly Hazlett had Portland's first shot of the night when she hit one from about 12 yards out that was saved by Ruelas.

Juliana Guthner nearly scored for the Pilots in the 61st minute after gaining possession near the top of the area. She tried to go near post with a left footed shot, but the attempt was wide as the game remained tied 0-0.

Portland goalkeeper Rachel Lusby, who registered two shutouts to begin the year to increase her career total to 12, finished with three saves against the Huskies. Ruelas, the reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week, countered with two stops.

The Pilots next head to Seattle for the 2018 Husky Nike Invite, which begins on Thursday at Husky Soccer Stadium. Portland opens with Michigan State at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, and Sunday brings an 11:30 a.m. match against Wisconsin.