PORTLAND, Ore. – In their final match of the season, the Portland Pilots fell to the No. 23-ranked Saint Mary's Gaels by a 3-1 margin Saturday afternoon at Merlo Field. Brandon Cambridge scored the lone goal for the Pilots in the 59th minute.
The loss puts the Pilots final record at 3-4-3 overall and 1-3-3 in WCC play, while the Gaels improved to 6-2-1 and 4-2-1 in league action. Portland controlled possession, had a 17-8 edge in shots for the match and 7-1 advantage in corner kicks, but Saint Mary's was able to capitalize when the scoring opportunities became available.
Saint Mary's got on the board early with a goal in the third minute of the match. Lucas Andrews scored his fourth goal of the season after taking the ball from Portland in the Gaels' attacking third and quickly made it a 1-0 game. The score would stay at 1-0 up to halftime.
The Pilots found their equalizer in the 59th minute. Greg Tracey received the ball at the top of the box from Alejandro Pereira and directed it to Brandon Cambridge on the left side. Cambridge took a couple dribbles to the center, settled, and then launched a shot into the upper right of netting to make it 1-1.
Portland looked like they finally had momentum on their side, but the Gaels took it back quickly. Louis Sterobo set up for the free kick in the attacking third and passed it inside the box to Boyd Curry in the 68th minute. Curry rose above the Pilot back line and launched a header into the goal, giving the Gaels a 2-1 lead. The goal was the second that Sterobo assisted on in the match. Saint Mary's added one more to their tally in the 76th minute. After Jacobo Viola blocked the shot by Andrews, Tyler Hardin followed it up with a shot of his own that found the back of the net for the insurance goal.
"The game can be very cruel and today was an example of that as we played so well in this match," Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt said. "We dominated possession, outshot them two to one and created more corner kick chances, which has been the storyline in almost every league game. We had a stretch where it was close to our best attacking play all year. Credit to Saint Mary's for making a big play on a dead ball. We continued to stick together all season and grow. Today our response to come back after a mistake and even it up at 1-1 was terrific and then we had numerous chances to go up."
Luke Hendel led the Pilots with five shots, while Cambridge finished with four shots on the day. Viola recorded three saves, while SMC keeper Nicholas Lapinid stopped four shots.
"The breaks in this compacted season didn't go our way and we will quickly turn the page and be stronger for dealing with adversity," Carlin-Voigt said. "It was great to welcome back fans and the Villa Drum Squad back to Merlo Field. Thank you so much for your support! I want to thank our seniors for giving so much to the program. They were great ambassadors of Portland soccer and we wish them well in the next phase of their life. They will forever be Portland Pilots!
"I also want to wholeheartedly thank the UP administration, athletic training room and support staff for giving our student-athletes the chance to compete and play while keeping everyone healthy and safe."
