By Nicholas Slepnikoff
In the midst of the season, the Pilot women once again chalk up a win versus the Oregon State Beavers. Although Texas A&M's loss broke their amazing record, the loss did not break the Pilot women's spirit. Continuing to fight for the ball and prevent shots on goal, women's soccer continues to stun players.
As the Pilot women took the field last Friday, a very anxious and excited Merlo Field awaited the outcome of the first home game for Pilot women in two weeks.
Fueled by the drum beats echoing from the Villa Drum Squad, raucous dedication of the University of Portland student body and support of the local Pilot alumni, the no. 4 Pilot women won the Friday game versus northwest rival Oregon State 1-0.
With a volley of 21 shots with eight on target throughout the course of the game, the Pilot women, although fielding a powerful offense, struggled to score a goal in the first half.
"After the game, Garrett (Smith, head coach) took us aside and said they played out of their skins to keep us out of the net," junior and U-20 National Team player Keelin Winters said. "We had a couple of times where the ball was actually on the goal line and we honestly couldn't buy a goal."
Although the Pilots fielded a powerful offense, the Beavers battled for every possession. When the first half whistle blew, the scoreboard still showed a 0-0 tie.
However, the collision of both wills and players continued into the second half as Oregon State continued to foul Portland players.
With 8 fouls and one yellow card, the Beavers showed determination as well as plenty of anger in their quest to beat the Pilots.
"They did everything in their power to try and keep the ball out of there and they did a great job," sophomore Charney Burk said. "We anticipated a hard fought battle and that's what we got."
At 54 minutes and 58 seconds, the women's soccer squad finally connected, breaking the half-long stalemate.
With a long run down the field by senior Michelle Enyeart and a cross to RS-junior Kendra Chandhoke,
Burk managed to gain possession and score. Gaining possession of the ball after the keeper blocked Chandhoke's attempt, Burk set herself and from 12 yards out buried it into the lower left corner of the Beavers' goal.
During the course of the night, new freshmen recruit Kendall Johnson was also able to get some playing time.
With several games under their belt, Smith thinks that the freshmen have definitely fit well with the team. However, Smith also thought that it was unfortunate that Friday's game didn't allow them to field more freshmen.
This solitary goal would be the only one Portland would need. With their signature defense, the Pilot women prevented any large plays to develop, only giving fleeting glimpses of the goal to the Beavers.
Winters attributes some of this defensive prowess to the pre-season workouts.
"On Wednesday, he (Smith) did our usual one v. one defense and I think it definitely showed tonight," Winters stated. "We really played well on defense, we put them under pressure, and they weren't able to handle it."
Although this win moves the Pilots to a 9-1-0 record for the season, the Pilots have run into some recent trouble with the Texas A&M Aggies.
Despite the fact the Pilots have beat many squads this season including such teams as UC Berkeley, University of Oregon and the University of Illinois, Texas A&M bested the Pilots in a 3-1 loss at the Aggies Soccer Stadium.
"We came out a little flat against Texas A&M, and I think that the better team of the night won," Smith stated. "Obviously we're not happy with it, but definitely a learning lesson in mid-season."
Smith continued that games like the Texas A&M are great for the team's growth. Playing teams like that allows the team to get more exposure, Smith thought, preparing the team for the tougher games in what's left of the season.
"And we expect the rest of the season to be tough," Smith said.
Their next game is tomorrow, where they will be battling against the 2-7 University of Montana Grizzlies.
