PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots created quality chances all game long, but in the end the Gonzaga Bulldogs prevailed 1-0 courtesy a second-half PK to claim a West Coast Conference women's soccer game played on a crisp Wednesday night at Merlo Field. The Pilots matched a season-high with 17 shots.
 
The Pilots (4-4-2, 0-2-0 WCC) had some opportunities early as Larkin Russell sent a couple of headers towards the frame. The first came in the sixth minute on a perfectly executed set piece by the Pilots, but the attempt was wide of the left post. Moments later the senior midfielder had a header saved as the game remained scoreless.
 
In the 11th minute, Brianna Miyama connected with Jamie Rita with a short pass, and Rita nearly found the upper right corner from about 25 yards out. But she bent it just wide, and the two sides eventually headed into the locker room tied 0-0 at the half. Portland keeper Jenny Wahlen helped keep the game scoreless with a stellar save in the 34th minute.
 
The Pilots were knocking on the door to begin the second half, and Russell had a golden opportunity in the 59th minute. She had possession inside the 18 and tried to go top shelf with a shot, but she hit the crossbar as the Bulldogs remained level with the Pilots. Two minutes later Ries sent one just high with a well-struck shot.
 
Then in the 73rd minute, the home side was called for a foul inside the area, and the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty. Madeline Gotta converted the PK, and the visitors had the lead.
 
The Pilots searched for the equalizer during the final 17 minutes of regulation, and they almost found it on a free kick. Natalie Muth sent in the initial ball, which took a deflection near the top of the six before rolling towards the Gonzaga frame. The ball appeared destined for the back of the net, but it was cleared off the line at the last second by a GU defender.
 
Russell hit another header wide off a corner kick in the 81st minute, and in the 87th Ries found an unmarked MJ Roe inside the 18-yard box with a well-played ball towards the far post. Roe controlled the pass before hitting it towards the goal, but keeper Isabel Jones was there for the clutch save to preserve the shutout for Gonzaga (9-3-0, 2-0-0 WCC).
 
Wahlen finished the night with five saves, and Russell had a team-high five shots.
 
The Pilots next travel to Moraga, Calif., for a WCC match against the Saint Mary's Gaels on Saturday, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. at Saint Mary's Stadium.