#22 Pilots Claim 1-0 Victory over Dartmouth
The Pilots next conclude their stay in Seattle when they face No. 15 Wisconsin on Sunday.
(SEATTLE, Wash.) — Portland sophomore Parkes Kendrick scored the game-winner in the 57th minute, freshman goalkeeper Taylor Luty made three saves and the Pilots dominated time of possession to claim a 1-0 win over the Dartmouth Big Green at the Husky Nike Invitational at Husky Soccer Field on Friday afternoon.
It's the first shutout this season for the Pilots (2-2-0,) and it's the first career clean sheet for Luty.
Portland kept the ball in Dartmouth's (0-1-0) half of the field for almost the entire second half of the game, and it paid off when Kendrick scored her first goal of the season. The play was set up by sophomore Danica Evans, who somehow managed to maintain possession while fighting through and around Dartmouth's backline. Evans got to the endline, spun and sent a low cross towards the penalty spot. That's where Kendrick found the back of the net with a first-touch finish to give the Pilots a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
The Pilots continued to pressure the final third, and it was Kendrick again who found herself on the end of a nice ball from Evans. This time goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders came out to challenge, but Kendrick still slid a shot underneath the keeper. A Dartmouth defender then knocked the ball away before it reached the near post.
Evans, along with Noelle La Prevotte, followed with a pair of shots moments later, but Saunders made the stop both time.
Meanwhile the Pilots held the Big Green without a shot for the first 39-plus minutes of the second half. But in the 85th minute, Luty came up with a clutch save on a shot off the foot of Corey Dillon, who was looking to hit one inside the near post. From there Dartmouth settled for sending long balls forward, and Delaney and Jessica Lukas both dragged shots wide in the closing minutes.
Six of Portland's nine shots for the game were on-goal, while the Big Green attempted just six shots total. Saunders finished with four saves, and the Big Green were credited with a team save as well.
The first half was similar to the second with the Pilots controlling the run of play, and Evans nearly scored the game's first goal in the 26th minute. From a tough angle, Evans hit a shot that bounced off the far post and safely away. Alyssa Edenstrom also had a shot saved in the 29th minute, and Luty made a spectacular save when she punched a shot by Delaney over the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.
The Pilots next conclude their stay in Seattle when they face No. 15 Wisconsin on Sunday. The Badgers are set to play the host Washington Huskies on Friday night.
Source: University of Portland Athletics
