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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior Noelle La Prevotte gave the Pilots a one-goal lead in the first half and sophomore Danica Evans scored the game-winner in the second to help Portland claim a 2-1 win over the Miami Hurricanes on the first day of the Nike Invitational at Merlo Field on Friday night. It's the second game-winner this season for Evans, which allows Portland to even its record at 3-3-0 on the year.
 
Evans' goal was needed after Miami's (2-5-0) Megan Auld tallied the equalizer in the 54th minute. Gianna Dal Pozzo sent a high ball into the box, and Auld placed a header inside the far post to tie the score at 1-1.
 
But the tie was short-lived as the Pilots had an answer. The Pilots were awarded a penalty shot after senior Emily Sippel was fouled inside the 18, and Evans did the rest with her team-best third goal of the fall in the 56th minute.
 
The Pilots would hold on from there with the help of a handful of saves by freshman goalkeeper Taylor Luty. Luty, a Portland native, came off her line to deny a shot from Jasmine Paterson in the 73rd minute, and just moments later it was Miami's Ava Ambrose who had a shot turned away by Luty.
 
La Prevotte then drove a well-hit shot towards the left post at the other end of the field, but Miami keeper Emily Lillard made the diving save.
 
The Pilots, who controlled possession for much of the night and held the Hurricanes to just a pair of attempts in the first half, claimed a 13-8 edge in overall shots. Miami accumulated shots late as they pressured for the equalizer.
 
It was La Prevotte who gave the Pilots the lead in the first half after Portland continually attacked the final third during the game's first 45 minutes. Parkes Kendrick and Evans combined right of the 18 to set up the play, and freshman Maddie Dieker somehow snuck a pass through to La Prevotte, who stayed composed to finish for her first goal of the year. It's also the first career assist for Dieker.
 
Evans finished with six shots, three on-goal, and she nearly scored in the 21st minute off a thru ball from Kendrick. But Lillard made the save on the shot from point-blank range, and the Miami keeper registered five saves overall.
 
The Nike Portland Invitational continues on Sunday when the Pilots host San Diego State at 2:30 p.m. The game will be preceded by Miami against Washington, who dropped a 2-1 decision to SDSU earlier on Friday.