October 27th, 2011
Pilots Tops Zags 2-0 In WCC Showdown
Nielsen scores twice to lead Portland past Gonzaga
Portland senior Michael Nielsen scored once in the first half and again after the break as the Pilots claimed a 2-0 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a West Coast Conference men’s soccer match at Merlo Field on Wednesday night. It’s the second shutout of the year for the Pilots.
The win runs UP’s unbeaten streak to three games as the Pilots improve to 7-6-2 overall and to 2-4-1 in the WCC. Gonzaga drops to 4-8-2 and also sit at 2-4-1 in the conference.
Nielsen’s first goal came in the 18th minute off a feed from junior Joe Sleven. Sleven found an unmarked Nielsen, who was making a run into the left side of the 18-yard box. Nielsen then took a touch before burying a shot into the left side of the net, past a frozen Ryan Caballero, GU’s goalkeeper.
The half would end with Portland leading 1-0, and the score would remain that way until the 79th minute. That’s when Nielsen scored once again, this time on a pass from sophomore Steven Evans. Evans had the ball in the left side of the box before sending a low pass through a couple of defenders towards the far post. Nielsen then finished on a one-timer inside the far post.
Nielsen’s two-goal performance gives him four goals on the year, which ties him with Evans for the team-high.
Portland’s stingy defense held Gonzaga to zero shots on-goal for the game. The Bulldogs did attempt seven shots overall, with their best opportunity coming in the 77th minute. Zach Hamer found some space at the top of the box before taking aim at the left post from 20 yards out. But his goal was wide by about a foot, and the Pilots would respond with Nielsen’s second goal only two minutes later.
Six of UP’s 12 goals were on-goal as Caballero finished with four saves. Portland keeper Justin Baarts wasn’t forced to stop any GU shots.
The Pilots next turn their focus to the Saint Mary’s Gaels, who visit Friday night for a 7 p.m. match at Merlo Field.
Add your comment