PORTLAND, Ore. - No. 21 Saint Louis fell 3-1 Sunday to host Portland in the final game of the Nike Portland Invitational at Merlo Field.

The Pilots (1-1-0) opened the scoring with a first-half penalty kick, and built their lead to 2-0 with a tally in the opening minute of the second half. SLU sophomore Mike Roach cut the Billikens' (1-2-0) deficit to 2-1 with a PK with less than 10 minutes to go, but Portland responded quickly with an insurance marker a minute later to secure the 3-1 victory.

"Overall we did not play poorly, but again we had key individual defensive lapses at critical moments that led to their goals," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "If we take care of our defensive responsibilities, those goals don't happen. It was a back and forth game and we had our chances offensively. I credit Portland for taking advantage of its opportunities.

"It's a long season still, and we will sort out and eliminate the problems. We bounced back after the New Mexico loss, and I expect we will do the same in time for next week's match against Loyola Chicago."

The Billikens controlled possession for much of the first half, and had their first scoring opportunity 23 minutes in when Jimmy Holmes outraced two Portland defenders to create an open look, but Portland keeper Austin Guerrero turned aside the shot. On the ensuing corner kick, senior James Jaramillo's header went just wide.

Portland got on the board at 32:57. SLU sophomore Alex Johnston was whistled for a foul in the box, and Collen Warner converted the penalty kick to give the Pilots a 1-0 lead. It was the second PK against SLU this season, already doubling last year's total.

At the end of the first half, SLU starting goalie Ross Kaufman was shaken up after a collision and briefly left the game in favor of freshman Mark Pais. However, Kaufman re-entered the game to start the second half, and yielded a goal at 45:56 to Ryan Kawuluk on a corner kick to give UP a 2-0 advantage.

That remained the score until the 80:38 mark, when Roach buried a penalty kick for his team-leading second goal of the season to slice the Billikens' deficit to 2-1. The resurgent Billiken attack was slowed just a minute later, however, when Ryan Luke scored to put the game out of reach and give Portland the 3-1 victory.

The Billikens out-shot Portland 10-4 and held an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks. Guerrero made three saves for UP, while Kaufman saved two shots for SLU.

Saint Louis returns to action Saturday, Sept. 12, against Loyola Chicago in a game played at Toyota Park. Game time is set for 7 p.m.