The Pilots played to a 1-0 shutout over the San Francisco Dons on a rainy Merlo field on Friday night. The game also served as senior night for Portland's Haylee DeGrood and Noelle LaPrevotte. DeGrood did not play due to yellow card accumulation.
The Pilots had significant stretches of possession in the first half, including several important saves by keeper Hanna De Haan that contributed to holding the Dons scoreless in the first half. Allison Wetherington and Parkes Kendrick both had chances on goal before the half but neither were able to convert.
Kendrick's hard work in right midfield paid off in the minute 53 when she was able to send in a perfectly placed cross to Allison Wetherington who tapped it in for the goal.
With the Pilots up 1-0, the Dons continued pressure, but the Pilots defense remained strong, and found multiple opportunities to counter, led by Kendrick on the wing and LaPrevotte from the forward position.
Though the Dons searched for an equalizer, De Haan managed to smother the Dons constant barrage in the pouring rain.
With this win, the Pilots are 4-5-0 in WCC play, and prevented San Francisco (7-2-0 in WCC play) from clinching the WCC title and automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. Instead the WCC championship and subsequent NCAA tournament berth will instead go to BYU, ranked No. 19 in the nation and 7-1-1 in conference play.
Hannah Baade is a photographer for The Beacon. She can be reached at baade18@up.edu
