Huskies Fall 1-0 at No. 20 Portland

Friday, September 14

Portland, OR

7:30 PM

University of Washington

5-2-0

Portland

5-0-1

Washington

Portland

Photo by: Red Box Pictures

September 14, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

PORTLAND, Ore. --- No. 9 Washington dominated play in the second half, but No. 20 Portland made an early, first-half goal stand up as the Huskies lost 1-0 in front of a raucous crowd of 3,151 at Merlo Field in Portland on Friday night.

Washington suffers just its second loss of the season to fall to 5-2-0 overall with both losses being one-goal defeats on the road to ranked teams. The Pilots improve to 5-0-1 and are off to their best start since 2004.

The match between the Northwest rivals was an entertaining back-and-forth match with both teams recording numerous quality chances in the first half. But it was Portland who scored the lone goal of the match, as Benji Michel tallied his sixth goal of the season in six matches with a quick finish from the right wing to make it 1-0 in the 21st minute.

Washington took over the match in the second half, desperately looking for the equalizer. But Portland goalkeeper Kienan Weeks made a handful of impressive saves to earn the cleansheet. It was the first time the Huskies had been shutout since suffering a 1-0 overtime loss to UCLA on Oct. 8, 2017.

Saif Kerawala was equally impressive on the other side of the field, registering a season-high four saves, but suffering his second loss of the year.

Washington had a great chance just three minutes into the contest as Blake Bodily was taken down on the attack just outside of the box. He took the ensuing free kick, but the shot took a deflection and went over the bar. Just moments later, the Scott Menzies had a chance on a crack from close range, but it was punched just over the bar.

The Portland goal in the 21st minute came during a stretch of about 10 minutes of sustained pressure by the Pilots. Portland nearly drew a second goal on a wide-open shot from the top of the box, but Kerawala made a spectacular diving save.

The Huskies responded to Portland's pressure with another pair of great chances. In the 39th minute Joey Parish had a chance from inside the box, sending a low shot to the far post only to see it cleared by the UP netminder. Less than a minute later, Bodily had another great chance from the left side saved by the keeper. Portland would head to the half with the one-goal advantage.

Washington controlled the ball through much of the second half, with Portland's only chances coming on counter attacks.

In the 62nd minute, Quentin Pearson had a great chance off a cross by Bodily. Pearson got a head on the ball and sent it to the far post, but Portland netminder Kienan Weeks just got a hand on it and pushed it wide.

Just over 11 minutes later, Joey Parish made a great move to split a pair of defenders and whipped in a great cross to the far side of the box where Menzies was all alone. However, Weeks again made a reaction save, diving to his left to knock it away.

Bodily had another great chance with a header in the 85th minute, beating Weeks, but hitting it off the post. In the waning minutes, Joey Parish ran onto a ball on the far side of the box and tried to slide a shot into the far post. However, the final chance for the Huskies skated wide of the goal.

Washington failed to score in the match, ending its streak of matches with two or more goals at eight—one shy of the program record set during the 1981 season. The eight-match streak was the longest since 1991-91.

The Huskies return to action on Sunday, Sept. 23, hosting cross-town rival Seattle U in the WAC/101 Club Cup match at 5:00 p.m. at Husky Soccer Stadium. Tickets are available at http://gohuskies.com/MSocTickets.

For all of the latest information on Washington men's soccer, follow the team @UW_MSoccer on Twitter and Instagram and at UWMensSoccer on Facebook.