SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Jackson Ozburn made a penalty kick save and Niv Berkovitz scored the game-winning goal in Santa Clara men's soccer's 1-0 upset win over No. 5 Portland, snapping their 23-match unbeaten streak. The save on Joe Highfield's PK was immediately followed by another denial on the rebound to preserve a scoreless match early in the second half. Portland's goalkeeper Miguel-Angel Hernandez also had a double save on back-to-back shots by Simon Diagana but on the third try, Berkovitz buried one for the lone goal of the game in the 75th minute.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Three minutes into the second half, Portland (10-1-3, 3-1-2 WCC), who entered the game with the nation's third most prolific offense in the nation averaging 2.62 goals per game, was awarded a penalty kick when Andrew Sullivan tripped up a Pilot player inside the box.
- Highfield's left-footed PK attempt was turned away by Ozburn as he dove to his right and quickly got up to make another stop on Alex Waggoner's shot off the rebound from point blank range. They were two of his five saves on the day to record his seventh clean sheet of the season.
- Santa Clara (5-4-6, 2-2-2 WCC) used the momentum provided by Ozburn's play to hold the Pilots offense in check. Meanwhile, the Broncos had a golden opportunity in the 51st minute when Berkovitz's shot hit the post. It was one of 40 shots in the game with the Pilots holding a slight edge 21-19.
- The Broncos broke through with a tally midway through the second half, needing three shots to get one past Hernandez. Diagana's two shots were turned away in the near post but Berkovitz sent one to the far post that found the back of the net.
- The goal was just the eighth one scored against Portland all season.
- A minute later in the 76th minute, David Ajagbe nearly had the equalizer but defender Yu Yokokawa cleared the ball off the line for a team save. It was one of five shots by the Pilots in the final 15 minutes as the Broncos defense stayed well organized.
- SCU gave up a sizable advantage in corner kicks 18-4 including 13 in the second half.
NOTABLE NUMBERS / GAME NOTES:
- Santa Clara leads the series 26-21-9.
- Berkovitz scored his sixth goal and Diagana had his fourth assist of the season, both tops on the team.
- Portland was shut out for just the second time this year. They had a scoreless draw against Saint Lous on Sept. 12.
- Portland's 23-match unbeaten streak was the second longest in the nation.
HIGHLIGHTS:
POST-GAME COMMENTS:
NEXT UP:
- Santa Clara hits the road to play at Oregon State on Nov. 2.
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