Box Score

Oct. 4, 2003

SPOKANE, Wash. - Miguel Guante scored the winning goal in sudden death overtime to lead the University of Portland in a 3-2 victory over Gonzaga University on Saturday afternoon to open West Coast Conference play. The Pilots improved to 6-5 overall, 1-0 WCC, while the Bulldogs dropped their record to 5-4-1, 0-1 WCC.

Portland made an impact early, scoring two goals in the first ten minutes of play. Pilot Erik Cronkite sent a free kick into the box where Alejandro Salazar was able to head the ball into the net to give Portland a 1-0 advantage in the third minute of play. Salazar then stopped a low kick by Gonzaga freshman goalkeeper Vito Higgins in the eighth minute, sending the rebound into the goal for his second goal of the game, sixth of the season.

The Bulldogs retaliated as Scott Bertram scored in the 29th minute to cut Portland's halftime lead. Bertram directed the ball into the low left corner of the net, behind Pilot keeper Luis Robles. Scott Yuska and Arni Pjeturrson were credited with the assists.

Kari Arnason evened up the score for Gonzaga with his 69th minute goal, received from John Palladino. The score would remain tied, 2-2, to send the game into overtime play.

Portland scored early in the first overtime period to claim the sudden death victory. Guante received a cross from Patrick Mooney in the second minute of overtime play to score his first goal of the season.

Bulldog keeper Higgins led the defense with nine saves during the 91:23 minutes, while Pilot Robles marked three. Portland notched 18 shots during the game, while Gonzaga had seven, five on goal.

The Bulldogs return to action on Sunday, Oct. 12 as they host Cal Poly at 1 p.m.