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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland freshman goalkeeper Paul Christensen stopped a penalty shot and sophomore Eddie Sanchez scored a world-class goal that leveled the score in the second half as the Pilots gave the sixth-ranked Washington Huskies all they could handle on Saturday night at Merlo Field. But in the end, it was the Huskies who prevailed 2-1 in overtime on a game-winning goal by Cristian Roldan in the 91st minute.
 
After the Pilots (1-5-3) and Huskies (7-1-0) battled through 51 minutes of scoreless soccer, it was Washington which found the back of the net first. Darwin Jones hit the post with a well-hit shot in the 53rd minute, and moments later he sent a high, floating ball towards the far post. That's where Josh Heard finished with a well-placed header to hand the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
 
Five minutes later the Huskies were awarded a PK and seemed on the verge of taking a two-goal lead. But Christensen came through and denied the penalty shot off the foot Jones to keep the Pilots within reach of their northwest rivals.
 
And in the 72nd minute, the Pilots pulled even with the Huskies when Sanchez received a ball, took two touches and sent a bending ball into the upper right corner of the frame from 25 yards out. Michael Escobar was credited with the assist after his 20-yard pass from across the field found the foot of Sanchez.
 
Portland then nearly ended it in regulation when a pair of shots nearly found the back of the net in the 83rd and 84th minutes, respectively. First on a free kick sent in by Hugo Rhoads, Erik Edwardson flicked a header just wide of the right post. Then Sanchez nearly scored again, but his shot from near the top of the box took a deflection before rattling the crossbar.
 
Washington then wasted little time in OT as Roldan tallied the winner on a first-time finish on a ball sent in by Heard.
 
The Pilots controlled the run of play early in the first half and created some dangerous chances in the final third. On a corner in the 33rd minute, Escobar headed a hopeful ball across an open goal mouth, but a UW defender was able to knock it down and clear it before Portland's Steven Corbett could get a finishing touch on it.
 
Meanwhile at the other end of the field, Christensen provided some stellar saves. In the 21st minute, Christensen dove to his left to punch away a bending shot off the foot Mason Richardson.
 
Christensen ended the night with six saves. 
 
The Pilots next head on the road for a game at Saint Mary's on Friday night before returning home to host Pacific on Sunday. Friday's kickoff is set for 7 p.m., while Sunday's game is scheduled for 12 p.m. and is the first half a double header at Merlo Field with the UP women.
 
Both the Saint Mary's and Pacific contests are non-conference games despite being against WCC opponents.