Oct. 7, 2001

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Junior midfielder Matt Prichard scored his first career goal at 32:01 Sunday and Gonzaga University made it stand up for a 1-0 victory over the University of Portland in the West Coast Conference men's soccer opener for both teams.

Prichard's score came from 35 yards off the left wing, Scott Yuska getting the assist as Prichard rifled the hard shot off the throw in through a crowd and past Portland goalkeeper Curtis Spiteri.

The Bulldogs (6-3-0, 1-0-0), who held a 9-7 shots advantage, including 7-3 in the first half, had the better scoring opportunities throughout the match. Taylor McCool's header off a free kick sailed over the goal at 31:34 and Arni Pjetursson's shot from 35 yards on a free kick sailed left of the post. Connor Quinn's header from close range mid-way through the second half also sailed over the goal. Spiteri finished with two saves.

The best shot for the Pilots (5-4-0, 0-1-0) came at 29:21 of the opening half when Eric Cronkrite's low drive on a free kick from the right wing was saved by Gonzaga goalkeeper Mike McCarthy, who recorded his fifth shutout of the season and the ninth of his career.

In the second half the Pilots had a free kick by Kelly Gray deflect off the wall to McCarthy for the save, one of his three saves for the day.

The Pilots kept constant pressure on the Bulldogs for the final 6:45 of the match, dominating territorial play but, although getting the ball into the box on several occasions, failing to get a solid shot at McCarthy to tie the match. Portland lost for just the second time in its last seven outings since dropping its first two matches of the season.

Gonzaga won its third straight match and its fifth in the last six outings. Gonzaga remains home next weekend for a Friday non-conference match against Western Washington University at 4 p.m. The Gonzaga women open West Coast Conference play in the first half of a Friday doubleheader with a 2 p.m. kickoff against Saint Mary's College.