PORTLAND, Ore. – Seattle University men's soccer led at halftime, but Portland rallied for a 3-2 decision Friday night. Noe Meza and Levonte Johnson each scored for SU in the second Caffe D'arte Coffee Cup, played at UP's Merlo Field.
The Redhawks were the better side in the first half, maintaining possession and moving the ball all over Merlo Field. SU's work paid off midway through the frame, as Meza and Johnson scored in a 3:11 span of action. Richard Bedats sent a looping long ball down the right side, where Johnson collected the pass and cut inside. He sent a low ball to the box, where Meza fielded it and fired a shot that deflected off two Pilots and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes later, Meza blocked an attempted UP pass near midfield. The loose ball went straight to Johnson, who took off and beat multiple defenders to gain control. The ball redirected off a defender and Johnson spun and then blasted a left-footed shot past the Pilot goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
The hosts converted a penalty kick late in the first half to get within a goal at halftime.
Early in the second half, Portland equalized with its second penalty-kick goal of the match. In the 59th minute, the Pilots took the lead with an end-to-end score, making it 3-2.
Seattle U searched for a tying goal, but UP held on for the victory.
SU outshot the Pilots, 19-14, while Akili Kasim made two saves.
The Redhawks return home to host third-ranked Washington on Monday night. Kickoff for the WAC/101 Club Cup is slated for 7 p.m. at Championship Field.
The Redhawks were the better side in the first half, maintaining possession and moving the ball all over Merlo Field. SU's work paid off midway through the frame, as Meza and Johnson scored in a 3:11 span of action. Richard Bedats sent a looping long ball down the right side, where Johnson collected the pass and cut inside. He sent a low ball to the box, where Meza fielded it and fired a shot that deflected off two Pilots and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes later, Meza blocked an attempted UP pass near midfield. The loose ball went straight to Johnson, who took off and beat multiple defenders to gain control. The ball redirected off a defender and Johnson spun and then blasted a left-footed shot past the Pilot goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
The hosts converted a penalty kick late in the first half to get within a goal at halftime.
Early in the second half, Portland equalized with its second penalty-kick goal of the match. In the 59th minute, the Pilots took the lead with an end-to-end score, making it 3-2.
Seattle U searched for a tying goal, but UP held on for the victory.
SU outshot the Pilots, 19-14, while Akili Kasim made two saves.
The Redhawks return home to host third-ranked Washington on Monday night. Kickoff for the WAC/101 Club Cup is slated for 7 p.m. at Championship Field.