Zags to End Non-Conference Slate in Portland
10/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SPOKANE, Wash.—After 10 tough matches and two long road trips, the Gonzaga men's soccer team will finally end its non-conference schedule with a game at Portland this Sunday, Oct. 12.
The Zags are coming off a weekend in which they created numerous scoring changes. They created 37 shots total at Pacific and versus Saint Mary's, but walked away with just one victory, a 4-3 win over the Tigers Oct. 3 in Stockton, Calif. On Oct. 5, they took 21 attempts but didn't find the back of the net in a 1-0 heartbreaking loss to the Gaels at home on Luger Field.
"In soccer, it's the elusive art of scoring goals," said Gonzaga head coach Einar Thorarinsson. "We're creating chances right now, we're just not finishing them. Everything has to come together for a goal, and that's not happening consistently yet."
The Pilots, meanwhile, found goals in bunches last weekend, scoring five times against both Saint Mary's and Pacific. Leading the way for Portland (3-5-3 overall) is attacking midfielder Eddie Sanchez, who's scored four goals and assisted one more. He's the team leader in both goals and points despite missing six games due to injury.
"Portland's got a good attacking mid in Sanchez," Thorarinsson said of his opponent. "He's probably the best player in the conference, and we'll have to deal with him. Overall, Portland's an up-and-coming team."
The trip to the Rose City will be a chance for four Zags to play in front of their friends and family. Two Gonzaga seniors—Clark Phillips and Ben Striar—hail from the city originally, and both Christo Michaelson and Ben White are from the suburbs of Lake Oswego and Tigard, respectively.
"We hope the Portland-based players will rise to the occasion in front of their families," said Thorarinsson.
Phillips and White have been mainstays in the Gonzaga lineup all year. Phillips is of three Zags to have started every match, finding the net once at Pacific last Friday. White has started all but that match at Pacific and has the fourth-most minutes played of all the field players. Striar and Michaelson are just breaking into the lineup, but they each played in both of last weekend's matches.
Kickoff between Gonzaga and Portland is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Merlo Field in Portland. Live stats will be available at this link, while the match will be live streamed here.
