Nov. 2, 2009

Courtesy of Portland

SANTA CLARA, Calif. --- Senior All-American Michelle Enyeart scored early and the No. 2 Portland Pilots held off the No. 14 Santa Clara Broncos 1-0 Sunday afternoon in West Coast Conference women’s soccer action at Buck Shaw Stadium. Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Davis recorded four saves as the Pilots extended their winning streak to 10 games.

The victory was the first for the Pilots at Santa Clara since 1997, snapping a five-game road losing streak in the series between the two league rivals.

Portland (17-1-0, 5-0-0 WCC) has guaranteed itself at least of share of the WCC title with the win. The Pilots will host San Diego in the regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. live on ESPNU. A Portland win would secure the program’s league-best 11th conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Enyeart notched her 13th goal of the season just 3:45 into the run of play, heading home the game-winner. Junior Sophie Schmidt’s initial shot was tipped off the crossbar by goalkeeper Lisa Lahman, but Enyeart charged on and headed home the rebound.

Sophomore striker Danielle Foxhoven, the nation’s leading scorer, nearly doubled the margin in the 18th minute as her free kick bullet ricocheted of the cross bar.

The Broncos (12-6-1, 4-2) tested Davis throughout, outshooting Portland 14-7 for the match. Each team had one corner kick. Jordan Angeli had five shots to lead Santa Clara, while Anessa Patton added four off the bench. Schmidt and Foxhoven had two apiece for the Pilots.

The Pilots will look to finish the regular season on a winning note on Friday and await their playoff fate when the NCAA Tournament selections and host sites are announced on Monday, Nov. 9.