PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Men's Soccer opened West Coast Conference play with a bang, downing the LMU Lions 4-0 for the shutout win. The victory puts the Pilots at 3-3-2 on the year and 1-0-0 in WCC play.
David Ajagbe earned his first brace of the season and now has three goals in two matches. Joe Highfield scored his third goal of the year as well and Ritvik Karra scored the first goal of his Pilot career. Ajagbe, Highfield, Karra, Anton Hjalmarsson, Efetobo Aror and Isaac Emojong all recorded assists on the day, with Highfield tallying two.
This is the third straight shutout for the Pilots, the fourth overall and the second shutout victory. Their seven assists are the most in a match against a Division I opponent since the Pilots last played LMU at Merlo Field in 2024.
How it Happened
Portland opened the scoring early in the sixth minute. David Ajagbe worked the ball up the right side and crossed it to Ritvik Karra. Karra rocketed it with his left foot to score the goal, the first of his Pilot career.
The Pilots would get back on the board in the 28
th minute. Anton Hjalmarsson found a gliding Joe Highfield down the left side. Highfield scanned for the pass and found it, with Ajagbe making himself available. Ajagbe knocked it into the back of the net. After a VAR review to confirm Ajagbe was onside, the goal was good.
Portland's third goal came just one minute after. Karra soared it long to Joe Highfield, who put himself on the board with the lefty shot. Portland closed out the scoring with a goal in the 56
th minute, when Isaac Emojong found Highfield near the box. Highfield played the low pass to a cutting Ajagbe, who put it through to secure the 4-0 win for the Pilots.
Game Notes
- Portland's four goals are tied for the most they've had against any opponent this season.
- The Pilots' seven assists are the most they've had in a match against a Division I opponent since they last played LMU at Merlo Field in 2024.
- Portland's 4-0 victory is the most they've won a conference opener by since 2023.
- Ajagbe is the second Pilot to score a brace this season. He has three goals this season and in the last two matches.
- Ajagbe has 13 goals for his Pilot career and has 20 now for his career.
- Highfield's goal also gives him three on the season and 21 for his career.
- This is the second time in Highfield's career he's posted two assists in a match.
- Karra's goal is his first of the season and the first of his Pilot career. He is the eighth Pilot to score this season.
- This is the fourth shutout of the year for Portland, the third in a row and the second shutout victory. Miguel-Angel Hernandez has been in goal for all four.
- Hernandez's 17 shutouts for his career is good for seventh all-time for Portland.
Up Next
The Pilots remain home with a matchup against the Saint Mary's Gaels. The two teams play on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Merlo Field. Check PortlandPilots.com for tickets, live stats and video options.
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