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NCAA women Sinclair scores twice early, sets season scoring record while Portland secures WCC title 3-0 over Saint Mary's.
Sinclair entered the match with a share of the UP record of 30 goals in a season twice set by Tiffeny Milbrett (1992, 1994). Sinclair also tied Milbrett (1990-92, 1994) and Mia Hamm (North Carolina 1989-90, 1992-93) for second in Division I history with 103 career goals, trailing only Danielle Fotopoulos (Southern Methodist\Florida, 1994-96, 1998), who had 118. "Christine deserves everything she gets," Portland coach Garrett Smith said. "She put us on her shoulders early tonight and there was no stopping her." Sophomore midfielder Angie Woznuk notched her fourth goal of the season between Sinclair's strikes as the Pilots (18-0-1, 6-0-1 WCC) cruised to victory. Portland will enter the NCAA tournament as one of only two undefeated teams in Division I, joining No. 1 Penn State (19-0-1), which suffered its first blemish when it tied Michigan 3-3 and was eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals 4-2 in tie-breaking penalty kicks. Portland had clinched the league crown earlier today when No. 17 Pepperdine downed seventh-ranked Santa Clara 2-1 in an afternoon match. Saturday marked the final regular-season game in the career of Sinclair, as well as fellow seniors Lindsey Huie, Kelsy Hollenbeck and Colleen Salisbury. The four are the last remaining members of the Pilots' 2002 NCAA championship squad and were honored in an emotional ceremony before kickoff. "What an unbelievable night," said Hollenbeck, who started all 19 games this season at right back. "This team is like a family to me, so it's sad to see this chapter of my life ending, but it was great to get the win on Senior Night. Now we have to focus on the playoffs and keep winning." Portland opened the scoring at 7:22 when sophomore forward Natalie Budge led Sinclair into a one-on-one with Gaels senior goalkeeper Alicia Artuso. Sinclair took a touch and then finished a 16-yard shot from the right side into the left side netting. Budge tallied her seventh assist of the season less than two minutes later, sending a short cross to Woznuk just inside the penalty area. Woznuk settled with one bounce and sent a right-footed side volley over Artuso's head for a 2-0 lead. Sinclair made it 3-0 at 11:52 with a blast from the top of the box that deflected off of a Saint Mary's defender and sneaked inside the right post. Portland outshot the Gaels 13-2, 6-1 in shots on frame. Junior goalkeepers Cori Alexander and Ruth Gilliam each played a half in recording the Pilots 13th shutout of the season. The Gaels closed with an 8-8-3 record, 2-2-2 in the WCC. |
