Christopher Sanders

The Pilots lead 1-0 at the half, but the Timbers dominate after the break to win 2-1

PORTLAND, Ore. --- After leading 1-0 at the half, the Portland Pilots allowed two second-half goals in a 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers in an exhibition soccer match Friday night at Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.

Portland’s score came on a Timbers’ own goal in the fifth minute. Freshman midfielder Collen Warner sent a cross into the box from the right wing. The Timbers’ Cameron Knowles attempted to head it back to his keeper Bayard Elfvin, but the ball found the back of the net instead.

The lead stood for the rest of the half as each team totaled three first-half shots.

The second half belonged to the Timbers, who compete in the USL First Division. The Timbers outshot the Pilots 18-4 after the break.

The equalizer came in the 60th minute, courtesy former Pilot Garrett Marcum. After knocking down a clear from Portland’s sophomore keeper Nick Comstock, Marcum went far post with a chip shot from just inside the right corner of the box.

The Pilots immediately looked to respond, but a shot from junior forward Chris Sanders was knocked away by Elfvin. Warner found Sanders with a nifty pass right up the middle of the field. Sanders, who had snuck past the backline, took a shot from 15 yards out, but Elfvin came out to safely knock it away.

On the ensuing corner from junior defender/midfielder Jeff Griffin, Sanders’ header was just wide of the right post.

The Timbers then hit the game-winner in the 76th minute. David Hague was on the receiving end of a long pass from Tom Poltl near the left corner of the box. Hague made a move to the inside, beating the UP defender, and rifled a shot into the top shelf to make it 2-1 in the Timbers favor.

The Pilots played a man down during the final five minutes of regulation after Warner was show his second yellow card of the game.

Comstock finished with nine saves as the Timbers outshot the Pilots 22-7. Elfvin was credited with three saves.

Sanders led the UP attack with four shots.