Nov. 13, 1999

SPOKANE, Wash. - Freshman Conor Casey scored all five goals and the University of Portland kept their NCAA title hopes alive Saturday with a 5-2 West Coast Conference men's soccer victory over Gonzaga University.

The loss ended any hopes Gonzaga (9-8-1, 3-3-0) had of earning the WCC's automatic berth or of getting an at-large berth into the NCAA. Portland (12-4-1, 3-2-1) awaits Monday's NCAA Tournament announcement.

Casey broke the WCC overall games and conference mark for goals in a match. Former Pilot Davide Xausa scored four goals against Memphis on Sept. 2, 1995, and several WCC players have scored three goals in a match. The last player to score three goals in a WCC match was Gonzaga's Jeff McAllister against Loyola Marymount Nov. 5, 1995.

Casey's first goal came at 5:01, Gonzaga keeper Trevor Yost ranging out of the goal and colliding with Garrett Marcum. Casey picked up the loose ball and found the empty net straightaway from 15 yards.

Brian Ching drew the Bulldogs even at 15:58 when his diving header off Abbas Faridnia's corner kick got past Portland keeper Curtis Spiteri.

But Casey scored twice within a 6-minute span to give the Pilots a 3-1 halftime lead. His second goal came at 33:28, taking a pass from Kelly Gray and placing the ball just inside the right post. His third goal at 39:26 was a through ball up the middle from Gray, Casey going in alone on the breakaway and his hard shot hitting the crossbar and deflecting into the net.

Casey's fourth goal came on a penalty kick at 77:52 and his record-setter came at 79:03.

Gonzaga got a late goal from Ching at 88:05 on a header off a corner kick.

The physical match saw five yellow cards issued, and the Bulldogs had to play the final 10 minutes shorthanded when senior Matt Blasdel was redcarded at 80:11.

Portland's Matt Lund suffered an apparent concussion when he collided with Gonzaga's Alika Cosner with just under 4:00 remaining. Cosner was issued a yellow card on the play.

Scoring - 1, UP, Conor Casey (Garrett Marcum) 5:01. 2, GU, Brian Ching (Abbas Faridnia) 15:58. 3, UP, Casey (Kelly Gray) 33:28. 4, UP, Casey (Gray) 39:26. 5, UP, Casey (penalty kick) 77:52. 6, UP, Casey (Cristian Streeter) 79:03. 7, GU, Ching (JC Fernandez, Faridnia) 88:05).

Shots on goal - UP 14, GU 16. Saves - UP, Curtis Spiteri 3, Michael Lahoud 0, GU, Trevor Yost 1, Mike McCarthy 4. Fouls - UP 11, GU 20. Att - 1,052.