Defending NCAA Champion Pilots Blank Beavers, 3-0

The estimated attendance of 815 fans was the largest crowd ever for a stand-alone women’s soccer game at Lorenz Field. The only bigger crowd for a women’s game was part of a doubleheader with the OSU men’s soccer team in 2003.

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CORVALLIS - The Oregon State women’s soccer team put together a strong effort against the defending NCAA champions, but #8 Portland scored twice in the final two minutes and pulled out a 3-0 victory in front of a big crowd at Lorenz Field on Friday night.

For the first 88 minutes of the contest, the game’s only goal came in the 30th minute. UP’s Rachel Rapinoe got the ball at the top of the box after OSU tried to clear it away. She lifted a pass over to the left side for Natalie Budge. Budge ran onto the ball and ripped a shot from a difficult angle, about 10 yards away, off the bottom of the crossbar and into the net for her fourth goal of the season.

Although Portland took a one-goal lead at halftime, each of OSU’s five first-half shots were solid opportunities. The Pilots had a 9-5 edge on shots at the break, however.

Portland asserted itself in the second half, outshooting the Beavers 12-1 en route to a 21-6 advantage for the contest.

A strong defensive effort by the Beavers kept the score 1-0 until the very end, however. OSU senior goalkeeper Melissa Onstad made five saves and did a fine job capturing several crossing attempts.

But in the 89th minute, UP’s Stephanie Lopez dribbled along the left endline toward the goal. She sent a pass back toward the middle for Michele Scifo, who hit a low, hard shot through a crowd and into the net for her first goal of the season.

Then, with less than 40 seconds to play, UP’s Michelle Enyeart was knocked down in the box and a penalty kick was awarded. OSU’s Onstad guessed correctly on Megan Rapinoe’s attempt, but her shot was struck too well inside the right post. Rapinoe, who was tied for the national lead in goals entering this weekend, scored her ninth of the season.

Portland’s Stephanie Lopez and Megan Rapinoe both played in the U.S. National Team’s game against Mexico in Rochester, N.Y., on Wednesday, then flew back on Thursday and played the full 90 minutes tonight.

The Beavers next have a three-game East Coast road trip, where they’ll face St. John’s Tuesday, Long Island, Friday and Army on Sunday.

OSU 0-0---0 (4-2-1)

UP 1-2---3 (4-2-1)

Goals: Natalie Budge (Rachael Rapinoe), UP, 29:23; Michele Scifo (Stephanie Lopez), UP, 88:07; Megan Rapinoe (penalty kick), UP:24.

Shots: OSU 6, UP 21

Corner Kicks: OSU 1, UP 1

Fouls: OSU 6, UP 13

Saves: OSU 5, UP 3

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