PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots produced three first-half goals and held Gonzaga scoreless for 90 minutes to claim a convincing 3-0 shutout over the Bulldogs in a West Coast Conference men's soccer game played on Wednesday night at Merlo Field. Rey Ortiz scored a goal and collected an assist, while Alejandro Pereira and Luke Hendel also scored for the Pilots.
 
The Pilots (8-5-2, 2-2-0 WCC) dominated the run of play from the opening whistle, and it resulted in several quality chances during the first half. In the eighth minute, Jake Arteaga hammered the crossbar with a shot from the top of the box, and moments later Pereira sent an attempt wide after Kevin Ogudugu played a stellar cross into the area.
 
Pereira then scored the first goal of the night, and it came off a corner kick in the 15th minute. The Bulldogs tried to clear the corner, but it only made it as far as Pereira, just outside the 18. The sophomore forward then unleashed a well-struck ball through traffic and inside the right post. The goal, his fourth of the season, would prove to be the game-winner.
 
In the 34th minute, Ortiz pushed Portland's advantage to two goals when he scored a golazo from outside the left edge of the box. Delentz Pierre found the senior midfielder with a pass, and Ortiz took a touch before depositing a perfectly placed shot over the keeper's head and into the corner of the net. Both Pierre and Gio Magana-Rivera claimed an assist on the play.
 
Hendel scored Portland's third goal of the half in the 40th minute after Jabari Newton connected with Ortiz near the far touchline, and Ortiz whipped a great ball towards the penalty spot. That's where Hendel finished with his fourth goal of the fall, giving the Pilots a commanding three-goal edge going into the locker room at half.
 
The Pilots then controlled possession throughout the second half and did well to limit Gonzaga's (3-9-1, 2-2-0 WCC) chances. Portland out-shot the Bulldogs 21-3 overall, and the Pilots held Gonzaga without a shot during the final 45 minutes. The Bulldogs did play a man-down after Garrett Wilson was shown his second yellow card of the match in the 33rd minute.
 
Portland goalkeeper Nico Campuzano had to make just one save to record his fourth clean sheet of the year.
 
The Pilots next play their final home game of the regular season on Saturday against the San Francisco Dons, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. at Merlo Field. The Pilots will honor their six seniors with a pre-game ceremony.