MORAGA, Calif. – A penalty in the 79th minute sealed the win for No. 12 Portland in the Gaels 2023 home finale on Saturday afternoon.
 
Saint Mary's played a good 43 minutes of defense before one mishap led to a game-winning goal for Portland in the 44th minute. The Gaels didn't clear a cross from right of the goal, and it left the ball sitting directly in front keeper Jack Landreth. Samory Powder put it in the back of the net from point-blank range to make it a 1-0 lead for Portland, even though Landreth got a piece of it.
 
The Gaels deserved better as they were even in shots with the Pilots at five apiece, though Portland did have a 56% to 44% advantage in possession time. They got within two minutes of taking the No. 12 team in the country to the half with a scoreless tie, and came within inches of equalizing in the 48th minute.
 
Leading scorer Riley Lynch got behind the Pilots defense, deking out the last defender and getting around Portland keeper – and former Gael – Kash Olapado. As Lynch cleared Oladapo's right side after he slide down to attempt a save, Lynch pushed a left-footed shot towards the net that clanked off the left post and back into play.
 
Lynch would create a scoring threat just a minute later as well, but had his shot blocked. Saint Mary's would again play a very even half against Portland, taking turns building opportunities until the Pilots began to sustain some pressure around the 70th minute.
 
In the 79th minute Kevin Bonilla hit the ground after some contact in the box and drew a penalty. The kick would be taken by Buba Fofanah who put it into the right side of the net for his ninth goal of the season, a 2-0 Pilots lead, and a firm grip on the match after scoring on the penalty.
 
The Pilots would tack on more goal in the 85th minute on a great one-man effort from Muslim Umar that led to a shot clanking off the left post and in for the 3-0 final.
 
UP NEXT:
The Gaels will finish the season at LMU on Saturday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. in Los Angeles.