Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. - The University of Portland Pilots compiled 19 shots and held the University of San Diego to just one attempt, but that's all it took, as the Toreros escaped Merlo Field on Thursday night with a 1-0 victory to open play in the West Coast Conference.

The USD goal came on a header by Caitlyn Kretzschmar in the 16th minute, and from there the Toreros packed it in defensively and withstood a steady barrage of shots from the Pilots for the next 70-plus minutes.

The Pilots (4-7-0, 0-1-0 WCC) dominated possession all night long as the ball rarely crossed the halfway line, especially during the second half. San Diego (3-7-2, 1-0-0 WCC) also received stellar play from their two goalkeepers, as Michelle Craft made three saves in the first half and McKenna Tollack came through with four stops after the break.

Craft made the first game-saving stop in the fourth minute when she smothered an attempt by Cecilia Pedersen, who was on the end of a well-timed through ball by Maddie Dieker. Moments later Allison Wetherington cracked a shot towards the upper shelf, but there was Craft to deflect it over the crossbar.

Moments later, the Toreros took advantage of one of their two corners on the night. Julia Sherwood sent it in, and Kretzschmar was there to elevate and finish with a header from the top of the six, making it a 1-nil game.

The lead would somehow stand as first Craft and then halftime sub Tollack denied the Pilots repeatedly. In the 49th minute, the ball fell to the feet of Portland's Haylee DeGrood 30 yards from the goal, and the senior center back absolutely crushed a shot that looked destined for the back of the net. But there was Tollack to get a touch on it, sending it over the crossbar, mirroring Craft's save on Wetherington's shot in the first half.

From there Portland continued to control possession, and the Toreros continued to withstand every attempt. The Pilots compiled 13 shots and eight corners in the second half, and in the 86th minute, Wetherington again unleashed a shot from about 20 yards out, and again the USD keeper punched it over the frame.

Noelle La Prevotte and Sarah Jones both had decent chances in the closing minutes, and the Pilots earned their 11th corner of the night with only about 15 seconds remaining, but the Toreros held on for the win.

San Diego will return to action on Sunday, as they conclude the Pacific Northwest trip with a 1 p.m. WCC match at Gonzaga University.