PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Pilots upset the Santa Clara Broncos 2-0 at Merlo Field, handing the defending national champions their first conference loss of the season. The win puts the Pilots at an even .500 on the season both overall (7-7-0) and in WCC play (3-3-0).
Taryn Ries and Jamie Rita scored the two goals for the Pilots. Ries's goal was her fifth of the season while Rita's was her first of the year. Pilot goalkeeper Bre Norris also had an impressive eight saves in the shutout victory, a career high.
The Pilots came out with energy, bursting towards the goal with purpose.