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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. --- Portland's Michael Escobar scored a pair of goals, but the San Francisco Dons used a late PK to claim a 3-2 win over the Pilots on Friday night in the West Coast Conference opener at Negoesco Stadium. Escobar has scored three straight goals for Portland and the Pilots (4-6-3, 0-1-0 WCC) have notched 13 goals total in their last four games.
 
But it wasn't enough on Friday night as the Dons (7-3-2) rallied from an early deficit to open 1-0 in the conference.
 
Tied at 2-2 in the 82nd minute, the Dons were awarded the penalty shot after Portland was called for a handball inside the 18-yard box. Danny Kirkland then tucked it into the back of the net for what would prove to be the game-winner.
 
Escobar gave Portland an early lead when he buried a shot from just inside the top of the box in the eighth minute. Eddie Sanchez found the foot of Escobar, who did the rest with a first-time finish into the top left corner of the net to make a 1-0 game.
 
But the Dons responded with two goals to surge into the lead. Both goals came on headers in the center of the box on well-placed crosses. David Romney registered the first goal, which leveled the score in the 19th minute, and Jesus Del Toro handed San Francisco a 2-1 lead with a header in the 25th minute.
 
Portland freshman goalkeeper Paul Christensen did well to keep the Pilots within striking distance with a handful of saves, which included a back-to-the-bar save on a shot by Aaron Lombardi. Christensen made a one-handed stop on the shot from point-blank range, knocking the ball over the crossbar.
 
Then in the 36th minute, Escobar evened the score with his second goal of the night. This time the Pilots went quick off a free kick, and Sanchez played it around the wall to Derek Boggs, who sent the ball towards the net and off the feet of a USF defender. Escobar was there to tap in the equalizer and the two sides would enter the locker room at half tied 2-2.
 
The Pilots created some chances in the second half and Christensen produced a few more quality stops. Sanchez had a shot saved in the 62nd minute after being on the receiving end of a stellar flick from Escobar. And in the 68th minute, it was Sanchez again with a shot from about eight yards out, but the sophomore couldn't quite get his feet organized and San Francisco keeper Chase Hauser made the save.
 
Seven of 11 of Portland's shots were on-frame, and Christensen finished with six saves.
 
The Pilots next make the short trip south for a WCC game on Sunday against the Santa Clara Broncos. Kickoff at Buck Shaw Stadium is set for 2 p.m.