PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Pilots got a pair of goals from Buba Fofanah and Jacob Babalai in a 4-2 win over UC Santa Barbara on Friday, improving to 2-0-0 on the season. It's the first time the Pilots have started 2-0 since 2004.
How it Happened
Portland broke the scoreless tie early when Fofanah notched his first goal of the season in just 18 seconds, assisted by Sebastian Nava. It was the second fastest goal in Portland Pilots history. The lead held for the rest of the first half.
The Gauchos evened the match on a goal from Mikkel Goeling in the 63rd minute, assisted by Jorge Aldana and Rene Pacheco. Portland then went up 2-1 on Jacob Babalai's 66th-minute goal, his first of the season. Kevin Bonilla and Nick Fernandez assisted the goal.
The Pilots made it a 3-1 lead soon after with a 67th-minute goal from Fofanah, his second of the season. Bonilla helped on the goal for his second assist of the match and fourth of the season.
UC Santa Barbara closed the gap on Portland to make it a 3-2 game on Nemo Philipp's goal in the 74th minute. But the Pilots earned their insurance and took a 4-2 lead thanks to an 86th-minute goal from Babalai, his second goal of the season and the match. The 4-2 scoreline held to the end of the game.
Game Notes
- Fofanah's goal was the second fastest in Pilot history at 18 seconds.
- Fofanah's multi-goal game was the first he's had since freshman year during the 2020-21 spring season.
- Babalai's two goals were his first two of the season. They are also the 15th and 16th goals of his career, putting him in the top 30 in program history for goals in a career.
- The Pilots' seven combined goals through the first two games are the most since 2017.
- Portland is 2-0 to start the year, marking the first time they've done that since 2004.
- Bonilla is up to four assists on the year, which is the most through two games that a Pilot has posted since 2017. He is the first to have multiple assists in the first two matches in the 2000s.
Up Next
The Pilots host the Utah Valley Wolverines on Monday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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