Box Score |
Video Highlights
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Matt Liberator and Steven Corbett both scored their first career goals for the Pilots, but Cleveland State got the game-winner from Jordan Hart 35 seconds into the second overtime as the Vikings escaped Merlo Field with a 3-2 win over Portland at the Nike Invitational on Sunday afternoon.
Â
Portland's loss coupled with Oregon State's 2-0 win over UC Davis at Lorenz Field on Sunday means the Beavers are the 2013 Nike Invitational Champions.
Â
It looked good early for Portland (1-1-0) against the Vikings (1-1-0) as the Pilots dominated possession throughout the first half. On a corner from Hugo Rhoads in the 21st minute, Liberator sent a ball towards the far post from about 22 yards out. The junior defender hit it just right as his shot snuck inside the top left corner of the net out of the reach of CSU keeper Austin Saini.
Â
The 1-0 lead would stand until the 40th minute. That's when Sergio Manesio sent a decent ball over the top that found Cristian Arboleda just outside the top of the box. Arboleda then punched one past a hard-charging Justin Baarts that tied the score at 1-1.
Â
The Pilots then ended the first half with a flurry as they forced Saini into making a couple of tough saves. First Rhoads cracked one from about 20 yards out that Saini knocked away. Then freshman Aaron Caprio hit one in the 44th minute that Saini also saved. Colby Trah was there for an attempt on the rebound, but he blasted it high of the crossbar.
Â
Portland continued to control the run of play in the second half, but Cleveland State was able to jump ahead with a goal in the 67th minute. Zach Ellis-Hayden sent a low cross in from right and Admir Suljevic tapped it in for the go-ahead goal.
Â
Corbett then provided the equalizer with less than three minutes to play in regulation. Caprio sent in a cross the grazed the crossbar before finding Corbett near the far post. The junior midfielder then calmly finished to even the score at 2-2.
Â
During the first overtime, Caprio nearly claimed the game-winner in the 93 rd minute, but Saini came through with a game-saving stop in a 1-v-1 situation.
Â
Portland finished with a sizable 17-8 advantage in shots, while also claiming an 11-6 edge in corner kicks.
Â
The Pilots next travel to Seattle, Wash., for their lone non-conference road game of the season. Portland is set to face the Washington Huskies at Husky Soccer Stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m.