PORTLAND, Ore. – The Santa Clara Broncos capitalized on opportunities in a 2-0 win over Portland in West Coast Conference men's soccer action Saturday afternoon at Merlo Field and the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.

The Broncos (3-4-0) went ahead early after being given a free kick just outside the penalty area in the eighth minute. Javier Ruiz Duran stepped up and drilled a left-footed shot into the upper right of the goal.

Santa Clara got a break when the Pilots were issued a red card early in the second half and scored an insurance goal in the 83rd minute. Oladayo Thomas got free on the left and was 1-v-1 with Pilot goalkeeper Jacopo Viola and beat him to the far post.

Despite playing a man down for most of the second half, the Pilots (3-3-2) still threatened and had a 12-6 advantage in shots on the afternoon and 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

Portland nearly equalize in the 22nd minute when Miles Robinson charged down the left wing and into the penalty area. He was tackled just as he attempted a cross at the endline and Portland was awarded a penalty. Luke Hendel stepped to the spot, but SCU goalkeeper Andreu Cases Mundet guessed correctly and made a big save to keep the Broncos ahead.

Portland kept on the front foot throughout the first half and doubled Santa Clara in shots (8-4), but the Broncos took the 1-0 halftime lead.

The path to a comeback became much more difficult when Pilot striker Ben Ortiz was given a straight red card after a collision with Cases Mundet outside of the penalty area in the 57th minute.

Hendel, Alejandro Pereira and Miguel Yuste had three shots apiece for Portland.

The Pilots will continue WCC with a match San Francisco on Sunday, April 11 at 1 p.m.