Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Michael Nielsen scored his third goal of the season to help the Pilots earn a 1-1 draw with the Santa Clara Broncos in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer game on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. Nielsen’s goal came in the 31st minute, while SCU’s Rodrigo Da Silva notched the equalizer in the 71st.
Tied at 1-1, Portland had several good opportunities during the game’s final 20 minutes, including one scenario when the Pilots fired off three consecutive shots. The first attempt, courtesy Joe Sleven, was knocked down by Santa Clara keeper Larry Jackson. Collen Warner followed with a shot on the rebound, but again Jackson came up with the clutch save. The ball bounced back towards Sleven, who was wide left with a diving header.
That outburst came only moments after Ben Hemphill had a side-volley from point-blank range saved by Jackson.
Portland continued its assault on the SCU goal during the first overtime as the Pilots registered four shots to the Broncos’ one. Jarad vanSchaik had UP’s best look, but again Jackson came up with a huge save.
During the game’s second extra period, it was Portland goalkeeper Austin Guerrero coming through with a clutch stop to preserve the tie. On a rebound, Da Silva drilled one towards the Portland goal mouth, but Guerrero knocked it away.
The Pilots now sit at 8-4-4 overall on the season and even their conference mark to 3-3-3. The Broncos move to 4-9-4 and 2-5-2.
Nielsen began the scoring almost 31 minutes into the match. On the left flank, Logan Emory made a nice move to shake the defender before sending a low cross towards the middle of the 18-yard box. Nielsen was in perfect position to bury a shot into the right corner of the net. Emory picks up his first assist of the fall as the Pilots led 1-0.
After the Pilots dominated the run of play during the first half, Santa Clara came out energized after the break and finally found the back of the net on Da Silva’s first goal of the season. Da Silva took a feed from Erik Hurtado and cracked a shot that snuck just under the crossbar to even the score at 1-1.
The Pilots finished with a sizeable 24-12 advantage in shots and enjoyed a 14-5 edge in corner kicks.
Guerrero finished with a pair of saves, while Jackson countered with seven.
The Pilots next head for Southern California for WCC games at San Diego and Loyola Marymount next weekend. The Pilots are set to face the Toreros at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and the Lions at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
