Box Score

NEWBERG, Ore. – A 19-4 advantage in shots taken finally paid off for Pacific University when Brandon Porter punched home a header in the 71st minute, giving the visiting Boxers a 1-0 win over the George Fox University Bruins in a Northwest Conference men's soccer match Wednesday afternoon here at Morse Field.

The scoreless first half saw the Boxers get nine shots, three on goal, but Bruin keeper Jake Maguire saved all three.  The Bruins got only two shots, both by Peter Luginbill, but neither was on goal.  The second half was more of the same, Pacific taking 10 shots, five on goal, to two shots, one on goal, for the Bruins.  The Boxers also held a decided 13-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Boxers had their first real shot at a score in the 59th minute off a corner kick with a header by Porter, a shot by Avery Neal, and another shot by Travis Birrell in rapid-fire order, but the first and third shots were saved by Maguire and the middle one was blocked by a Bruin defender.  The Boxers also appeared to have scored with 22 minutes left but an offside penalty negated that shot.

The Boxers finally cashed in following a George Fox foul.  Anthony Jaeger took the free kick from 40 yards away near the right sideline and sent a high hooking shot toward the far post.  Porter, coming around the back side from the left, was in perfect position to meet the cross and head it just inside the post at the 71:02 point, his first goal of the season. 

The Bruins had their one good chance to tie the score two minutes later, but Sean Daughtry's header from 10 yards away toward the center of the net was easily countered by Boxer keeper Andrew Stevermer, the only save of his fourth shutout of the season.

George Fox (2-9-3, NWC 1-5-2) visits the University of Puget Sound Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. game.  Pacific (7-3-4, NWC 3-14) goes to Pacific Lutheran University Sunday, also at 2:30.  Both games will be preceded by NWC women's games at 12:00 noon.