PORTLAND, Ore. --- After the Portland Pilots scored twice in the second half to surge into the lead, the Santa Clara Broncos equalized with a PK in the 86th minute before tallying the game-winner 22 seconds into overtime to escape Merlo Field with a 3-2 win. Brandon Zambrano notched two assists for the Pilots and Jacob Hanlin scored his first career goal, but in the end it was the Broncos who prevailed on a windy and wet Friday night.
 
The Pilots (2-10-3, 0-4-0 West Coast Conference) looked good early, pressuring the final third and earning four corner kicks during the game's first five minutes. Christian Garcia-Cabello nearly gave Portland a one-goal lead when he chested down an attempted clearance before drilling a shot towards the left post. But Santa Clara (7-7-1, 2-1-1 WCC) goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh made a diving save, knocking the ball away to keep the game scoreless.
 
Moments later the Broncos were able to swing momentum in their favor and Carlos Delgadillo scored his team-best fifth goal of the year in the seventh minute to hand Santa Clara the lead. On a free kick from about 30 yards out, Luis Urias served in a high ball towards the far post. That's where Parker Holland elevated to win the ball in the air and nod it to Delgadillo, who tapped it past Portland keeper Paul Christensen.
 
The game remained 1-0 until the 51st minute when the Pilots worked the ball up field. Zambrano then sent a perfectly placed ball across the field to Eddie Sanchez, who took a few touches before burying the equalizer inside the right post, leveling the score 1-1. The stellar strike was Sanchez's fourth goal of the year.
 
The score remained tied until Zambrano found Hugo Rhoads, who made a well-timed run towards the left post in the 75th minute. Rhoads then played the ball back to an un-marked Hanlin, who stayed composed and finished first-time inside the right post in the 75th minute. His goal from just inside the top of the box gave the Pilots a 2-1 lead.
 
The lead would stand until the closing minutes when the Broncos earned a free kick, which was sent inside the area from 35 yards out. During the play, the Pilots were whistled for a foul, and the head referee pointed to the spot, awarding Santa Clara with a penalty kick. Edson Cardona then stepped up and deposited the equalizer into the right corner of the net.
 
And then just seconds into the first overtime with the score tied 2-2, Cardona played a long ball up the left sideline, which was controlled by Holland. Holland then made a nice move to avoid one defender before hitting a ball from distance that grazed the right post on its way in.
 
The loss overshadows another impressive night in goal for Christensen, who made a handful of clutch saves late as the Broncos pushed for the equalizer. In the 80th minute, the sophomore swatted away a header from Holland to preserve the Pilots lead. Moments later he denied another attempt by the Broncos, this time knocking away an awkward bouncing ball.
 
Christensen finished with three saves on the night, while McIntosh recorded two.
 
The Pilots next welcome the San Francisco Dons to Merlo Field for a WCC match on Sunday at 1 p.m.