Monday, September 27, 1999

Pilots edge Wahine
in low-scoring battle

Star-Bulletin staff

The Portland Pilots unleashed 28 shots at the Hawaii Wahine defense, which rejected all but one yesterday in the Pilots' 1-0 win before 1,288 at Harry A. Merlo Field.

The Pilots (4-4-1), ranked as high as No. 3 in preseason polls, had been racked with injuries early this year, but had a full squad ready for the visiting Wahine.

The Portland goal came at 66 minutes, 20 seconds, when a high drive from 24 yards out by Vanessa Talbot eluded goalkeeper Demarre Sanchez's attempt to clear the ball over the crossbar.

"I haven't talked to Demarre, but she may have lost the ball in the sun. Her timing looked right and she had cleared at least two other similar shots over the bar," UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing said.

The Wahine started well, working the ball in the Portland half of the field. With a little over 10 minutes gone, the Pilots took advantage of a rare defensive lapse on a counter attack and had a shot on an open goal, but missed.

However, from that point on, the Pilots were able to control much of the match.

Tenzing questioned the game statistics, which showed UH (4-3-1) with just two shots.

"We had at least three legitimate chances to score and definitely took more shots," he said.

"This match was good for our morale. It was positive because we know we can play with these teams. We won't see another team like Portland until we get to the NCAA playoffs."

Despite the Portland pressure, the Wahine stuck to their game plan. This pleased Tenzing because it was something they didn't do when they played Stanford.

Sanchez made a season-high 10 saves, but saw her consecutive minutes without allowing a goal stopped at 416 in the 1-0 loss.

The Wahine come home today, practice twice, then return to the mainland for matches against Cal State Sacramento on Friday and Eastern Washington on Sunday at Sacramento.

Hawaii		0 0 - 0
Portland	0 1 - 1

UP: Vanessa Talbot (unassisted), 66:20.

Shots-UH 2, UP 28. Saves-UH 10, UP 2. Corner kicks-UH 0, UP 10. A-1,288.