PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Men's Soccer put together another strong conference showing, taking down the Saint Mary's Gaels 5-0 at Merlo Field. Portland improves to 4-3-2 on the year and 2-0-0 in WCC play.
With the win, the Pilots have won their first two conference matches for the first time since 2022 and scored the most goals in their first two conference matches since 2014. Portland's plus-nine goal differential is their best through their first two WCC matches since 1991.
Efetobo Aror, Joe Highfield, Christian Mendoza, Dominic Edwards and Alex Waggoner all scored tonight for Portland, with Aror's goal being the game-winner. It was Aror's second goal of the year. Highfield had a goal and an assist – his fourth goal and fifth assist of the year respectively – and Mendoza and Waggoner's goals were their first scores of the season. Edwards scored his second goal of the year and added an assist.
Diego Rosas had assists on two goals today, giving him four on the year and 31 for his career, putting him third all-time for Portland. Dominic Berrios assisted twice as well. Michael Dunne, Isaac Emojong and Justin Nelson all recorded assists on the day, giving the Pilots nine total, their most in a match this season and the most against a Division I opponent in two years.
How it Happened
Portland opened the scoring early with a goal on a set piece in the fifth minute. Rosas soared the corner kick into the box for Aror, with Aror's header making it 1-0 Portland early. That score held the rest of the half.
The Pilots then added four goals in the second half, starting with Mendoza's goal. Rosas was the primary assist on Portland's second goal as well, which came in the 53
rd minute. Rosas and Highfield played it back and forth to one another before Rosas sent the low pass to Mendoza, who finished it off for his first goal of the year. Portland led 2-0.
The third goal saw Highfield get in on the scoring action. Dunne passed to Emojong who found Highfield going straight down the middle. After a small deflection, Highfield corralled the ball and sent it in for a goal. The score made it 3-0 Portland.
Edwards got involved in the next two goals, starting with his second goal of the year in the 81
st minute. Berrios played it deep to Nelson, who found Edwards cutting into the box opposite side. Edwards finished it off to make it 4-0 Portland.
The final goal came on a long ball from Edwards to Waggoner in the 87
th minute. After receiving the pass from Berrios, Edwards launched it deep to Waggoner, who took the ball and sent it towards goal. Waggoner finished, making it 5-0 Portland, which proved to be the final.
Game Notes
- Aror's goal was his second of the year and the fourth of his career. It's the first time in his career he's had multiple goals in a season.
- Highfield recorded the fourth goal of his season and the fifth assist as well. He leads the Pilots in both categories this year.
- Highfield has 22 goals and 13 assists for his career as a Pilot for 57 points.
- Mendoza's goal was his first of the season and second of his career. Mendoza is the ninth Pilot to score this season.
- Edwards scored his second goal of the year and added an assist, his first as a Pilot.
- Waggoner's goal was his first of the year and the 11th of his career.
- Rosas had assists on two goals for the Pilots, putting him at four on the year, second on the team.
- Rosas has 31 assists for his career, good for third now all-time in program history. It is the most career assists by any active Division I player.
- Berrios recorded his first two points as a Pilot, with both points coming on assists. He's the third Pilot to post multiple assists in a match this season.
- Emojong and Nelson both had assists in this one, with Nelson's assist being his first as a Pilot. Emojong's assist is his third on the year.
- This is the fourth straight shutout victory for Portland and fifth overall this season. This is the second season in a row they've posted a shutout streak of at least four or more and just the third time since 1988.
- Miguel-Angel Hernandez had four saves on the night and posted his fifth shutout this year. He has 18 now for his career, sitting at seventh all-time for Portland.
- This is the first time the Pilots have won their first two conference matches since 2022 and their nine goals are the most through their first two conference matches since 2014.
- Portland's plus-nine differential to start conference play is their highest to start conference play since 1991.
Up Next
The Pilots take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. PDT. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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