PORTLAND, Ore. --- Pacific scored the game's only goal in the 40th minute and the Tigers held off the Portland Pilots the rest of the way to claim a 1-0 win in a West Coast Conference men's soccer match played on Saturday night at Merlo Field. The Pilots had their chances throughout the night, out-shooting the Tigers by a 12-6 margin.
 
The Tigers (4-6-1, 1-0-0 WCC) opened the game with a dangerous shot in the first minute, but Portland (5-4-1, 0-1-0 WCC) keeper Nico Campuzano came through with a stellar save to keep the score 0-0.
 
From there, the Pilots peppered the Pacific frame with shots, including in the 17th minute when they had three attempts. Alejandro Pereira had the best chance when he sent a header towards the goal, but a Pacific defender was in the right place to deny the shot off the line.
 
10 minutes later, Luke Hendel had possession just outside the top of the box, weaved his way through traffic, and hammered a right-footed shot on-target. Pacific's goalie, Ethan Bandre, was there for the clutch save, and the game stayed scoreless.
 
Then in the 39th minute, Jose Angel Reyes reached the endline with possession and sent a low cross towards the six-yard box. That's where Tariq Branche provided the finishing touch, and just like that the visiting side had a 1-nil lead.
 
The Pilots spent the second half searching for the equalizer, and they nearly found it multiple times. Rey Ortiz drilled a shot towards the left post in the 60th minute, but it was wide by inches. Brian O'Hara had an opportunity in the 72nd minute when he made good contact on a shot after Jacobo Reyes had sent in a corner. But again, the Pilots were denied at the line by a well-position defender.
 
In the 78th minute Ben Ortiz hit the left post with a low shot from outside the area, and in the closing minutes Rey Ortiz whipped in a wicked cross. The Pilots were unable to get on the end of it, and the Tigers escaped with the win.
 
The Pilots next travel to Los Angeles, Calif., for a WCC match against Loyola Marymount on Saturday. Kickoff at Sullivan Field is set for 7 p.m.