MSOC | Gaels Open Conference Play with 1-0 Victory

Saturday, October 2

Moraga, CA

1:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

8-3-0, 1-0-0

Portland

5-5-0, 0-1-0

Portland

Saint Mary's (CA)

MSOC | Gaels Open Conference Play with 1-0 Victory

10/2/2021 7:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. – The Saint Mary's Men's Soccer Team (8-3, 1-0) opened conference play with a 1-0 victory in a very physical match with the University of Portland (5-4, 0-1) in front of a full alumni section on alumni weekend at Saint Mary's Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

CUT TO THE CHASE
The teams traded shots early on with each side not shying away from firing away and getting out on the attack, with the Gaels Cade Cowan, David Brog, and Boyd Curry creating some opportunities in the first 18 minutes. Then the foul fest began, including the Pilots R.J. Stretch being issued a yellow card for a vicious tackle in the 21^st minute.

In the 25^th minute the Gaels speedy freshman Riley Lynch got behind the Pilots defense after Sebastian Schacht threaded a pass between two defenders. Riley accelerated into the box, deked a defender, and fired a blistering, right-footed shot that the Pilots all-conference keeper had to dive to his right and make a one-handed stop.

That set up a golden opportunity for Cowan to pounce on the rebound, out hustling every Portland defender to the loose ball as he flicked it home with his left foot. The pressure from the Gaels gave them a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish as Cowan notched his second goal of the season.

SLOGGING THROUGH THE MUCK
We then returned to the foul fest. Six yellow cards in all were doled out by the referee, with the Gaels Louis Sterobo and Tyler Hardin each receiving one. The game featured 34 foul calls and several stoppages due to conversations from the referee as his whistle created a choppiness to the game that lacked rhythm.

But the Gaels slogged through it, refusing to let it get them off their game. Saint Mary's out shot Portland 11-4, getting five on goal while keeping the Pilots from mustering anything offensively with their stifling defense.

Whatever cliché one would want to use, "A win is a win, is a win," or even, "just win baby," they were all true for the Gaels, who get an all-important first conference victory at home in their West Coast Conference opener.

UP NEXT:
The Gaels will resume play a week from today as they will visit the University of San Francisco on Saturday, October 9 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

#GaelsRise