Pilots take off with win over FSU

Danielle Foxhoven lets loose a shot from 15 yards out that scored the first Portland goal Sunday.

Cilff Pfenning, oregonsports.com

The seventh-ranked Portland Pilots got their 2011 season off to an impressive start Sunday with a 2-1 win over No. 4  Florida State before a crowd of 2,817 at sun-baked Merlo Field.

Portland senior Danielle Foxhoven scored twice in the first half and the Pilots got enough gritty play on defense to win after falling behind in the 15th minute.

"It's always good to be able to score, especially when your teams needs it," Foxhoven said afterward. "That's my responsibility here, that's why the brought me here."

The Pilots' 19-game schedule continues Friday at home against Washington State.

Florida Sate entered with a one-game advantage, having beaten Oregon State 1-0 on Friday, and looked significantly more prepared for the game on the way to a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. Goalkeeper Kelsey Wys unleashed a 50-yard kick that found its way to streaking Tiffany McCarty and she powered it past Portland goalkeeper Hailee DeYoung for her second score of the season.

The Pilots responded instantly, challenging the Seminoles on every possession and that paid off when Foxhoven, expected to lead the team in scoring, dribbled through a pair of defenders and fired a rocket from 15 yards out in the 36th minute to tie the contest.

Foxhoven conterted a penalty kick in the final minute of the half after Micaela Capelle had drawn a foul after beating two defenders.

Florida State kept the second half interesting by consistently getting shots off toward DeYoung, including one that hit the crossbar and bounce over. DeYoung also made a solid save on a point-blank shot to preserve the score.

FSU finished with a 22-11 edge in shots with eight players firing off two or more. DeYoung, though, was only tested by three shots on goal, the same number UP fired at Wys.

"They're a very good team and put a lot of pressure on us, especially early on," UP coach Garret Smith said. "Being able to handle tha and pull out a win, that's a great sign for this team."