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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland freshman Jess Kennedy scored her first career goal late in the match against San Diego State, but the Aztecs would hold on for a 2-1 win over the Pilots on the final day of the Nike Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. The win gives San Diego State the 2014 Nike Portland Invitational title.
 
Kennedy's goal came on a great ball from Allison Wetherington as the Pilots (3-4-0) tried to recover from a 2-0 deficit. Wetherington found Kennedy, who was making a run near the top left corner of the box, and the freshman took a touch before finishing inside the left post.
 
But the Aztecs (4-1-1) would prevail behind a pair of second-half goals. Kelsey Booth gave the Aztecs the lead with a goal in the 56th minute and Morgan Darling scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 80th minute. Darling's goal was a bit unlucky for the Pilots as the shot deflected off a Portland defender and into the net. It appeared Portland goalkeeper Taylor Luty otherwise had the shot covered.
 
Booth gave San Diego State a 1-0 when she finished on a ball played in by Haley Locker, who had reached the endline with possession right of the Portland frame. Booth tapped it in from point-blank range for her second goal this season.
 
The Pilots didn't falter after Booth's goal and continued to create quality chances throughout the second half. Ellie Boon drilled a well-struck ball wide of the right post in the 50th minute, and Danica Evans hit one wide under heavy pressure in the 63rd minute off a nice pass from Wetherington.
 
San Diego State goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn then made perhaps the save of the game in the 64th minute. Parkes Kendrick slotted a pass through to Rebekah Kurle, who only had the charging Vaughn in front of her. But Vaughn denied Kurle's shot to preserve the 1-0 SDSU lead.
 
Moments later on a corner kick, Haylee DeGrood pushed a header wide and the Aztecs would notch the game-winner three minutes later.
 
The Pilots controlled possession during the first half, but were ultimately unable to score as the two sides entered the halftime locker room tied 0-0. DeGrood had Portland's best chance during the first 45 minutes when she hit a header high off a corner from Kaycie Young.
 
Portland finished with a 10-8 overall advantage in shots and Luty made a pair of saves. Vaughn was forced into making three saves. San Diego State's Stacie Moran was named the tournament's defensive MVP, while SDSU's Aliyah Utush took home offensive MVP honors.
 
Portland next heads south to Corvallis, Ore., for a non-conference match-up against the Oregon State Beavers on Friday night. Kickoff between the two in-state rivals is set for 7 p.m. at Lorenz Field.