Four First Half Goals Propel Pilots in front of Raucous Crowd

Box Score I Video Highlights I Photos

PORTLAND, Ore. --- University of Portland freshman Erik Edwardson scored two goals and added an assist as the Pilots beat Linfield in an exhibition match before a record setting crowd of 4,194 fans Friday night at Merlo Field. The announced attendance, which included a record 2,205 Pilot students, was the most ever for a Portland men's soccer game.

Senior Steven Corbett notched the opening goal in the 17th minute. The score came off of a cross from Edwardson who sent the ball across the box towards a streaking Corbett who tapped in from three yards away.
 
Soon after, Edwardson would score a pair of goals in the matter of a minute. The first came from ten yards out where he made a diving header off of a cross from junior Dustin Munger that he redirected into the left side of the goal past the outstretched hands of Linfield goalkeeper Grant Loriaux. His next goal would be scored with his feet as he received a pass from senior Michael Escobar and slotted it into the lower right corner of the goal.
 
The final goal came in the 34th minute after a great combination play at the top of the box set Matthew Coffey free seven yards from goal. Coffey would take two touches and chip Loriaux to score the fourth and final goal of the match.
 
Although the second half rendered scoreless, the Pilots would have 14 additional shots to bring the shot total to 23 compared to Linfield's two.
 
The Pilots kick off their regular season next weekend when they host the Nike Portland Invitational (Aug. 29 and Aug. 31). First up will be a game against Knights of Central Florida at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and then they will face the Purple Aces of Evansville on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.