Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland juniors Ryan Luke and Jarad vanSchaik both scored twice as the Pilots cruised to a 5-1 win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer game on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. vanSchaik also added two assists to help the Pilots improve to 8-3-3 overall and to 3-2-2 in the WCC.
Portland’s five goals are the most allowed by Gonzaga since the Zags surrendered six during a match in 2004. The Bulldogs drop to 5-6-3 and 2-4-1 in the conference.
UP last scored five goals in a game in 2007.
“That was a good result,” head coach Bill Irwin said following the match. “After tying Gonzaga on Wednesday, it was important for us to come out today and take care of business. Everyone did a great job and we got good production from our bench.”
vanSchaik opened the scoring on a penalty kick in the 16th minute. Portland was awarded the penalty shot after Drew Chrostek was taken down from behind inside the 18-yard box by GU’s goalkeeper Scott Barnum. Barnum had just cleared a Portland shot before tangling with Chrostek.
vanSchaik had to work a little bit on his second goal, which came in impressive fashion in the 21st minute. vanSchaik made a long run right down the middle of the field all the way through a plethora of Gonzaga defenders. He then gathered himself before cracking a low shot from just outside the box inside the right post, making it a 2-0 game in UP’s favor.
Luke then notched his first goal to give Portland a cozy 3-0 lead at the half. In the 41st minute, sophomore Michael Nielsen sent in a cross from the left flank. vanSchaik was able to re-direct the cross to an unmarked Luke, who finished into the left side of the netting. Nielsen and vanSchaik both picked up an assist on the play.
The second half began where the first half left off as Luke scored again to make it 4-0. This time vanSchaik began the play with a feed to freshman Ricardo Carrillo. Carrillo slotted a pass ahead to Luke, who took a couple of touches before burying his fifth goal on the season inside the far post. Luke is now tied for the team high in goals with Collen Warner.
Portland wasn’t done as freshman Joe Sleven joined the offensive explosion with his first career goal. Carrillo somehow managed to find Sleven with a corner kick in front of the goal. A composed Sleven then finished to give the Pilots a 5-0 lead. Carrillo picked up his second assist on the day.
GU avoided the shutout with a goal in the 74th minute, courtesy Tim Muravez.
The Pilots finished with a 19-10 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Gonzaga used two keepers on the afternoon, with Barnum making one save and second-half substitute Andrew Hickman coming up with four.
Portland junior goalkeeper Austin Guerrero made two stops.
The Pilots remain at home next weekend for a pair of WCC games. On Friday, the Saint Mary’s Gaels visit for a 7:00 p.m. match at Merlo Field. Then on Sunday, UP is set to host the Santa Clara Broncos at 2:00 p.m.
