SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga men's soccer roared out to a 2-0 lead over No. 11-ranked University of Portland, but the Pilots posted three unanswered goals to win 3-2 on Saturday night at Luger Field.
 
GU (2-7-2, 0-1-0 WCC) posted a goal in the sixth minute from Jake Kempf and then another from Chris Geanon in the 11^th minute for the two-goal lead. But, the Pilots (9-0-2, 1-0-0 WCC) earned a penalty kick in the 12^th minute and then posted a pair of second half goals on the way to the win.
 
"I was proud of how we fought, the battle, the grit and the desire we showed against a really good team," head coach Paul Meehan said. "Our attacking in the first half was some of the best we've had this season. Overall, it's another step forward for the program. I thought Chris Geanon was outstanding tonight, he was dangerous any time he had the ball."
 
The physical game had 26 total fouls between the teams, along with five yellow cards and one red card for each team.
 
For GU, Kempf's goal came on a feed from Isaiah Jackson as he was able to hit a strike from the top of the box to the opposite post for his second of the year. Then just six minutes later, Geanon got free and collected a long rebound before depositing the ball just inside the near post. The goal was the first of the freshman's GU career.
 
Portland's final two goals came in the 64^th and 72^nd minute. GU played 24 minutes with 10 men after a red card on goalkeeper Ben Willis, while Portland played the final 87 seconds with 10 men.
 
Gonzaga will be back on the field at home on Friday, Oct. 12, when they host San Diego at 7 p.m. Live coverage will be available at GoZags.com.