PORTLAND, Ore. --- After a scoreless first half, Portland's Jacob Hanlin and Eddie Sanchez both found the back of the net in the second half as the Pilots celebrated senior day with a 2-1 win over the Pacific Tigers on a wet Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. Sanchez's goal, which came in the 79th minute, goes into the books as the game-winner.
 
It was Hanlin who scored first after 49 minutes of scoreless soccer. Hugo Rhoads set up the play when he had possession left of the 18 before whipping in a perfectly placed cross. Hanlin was there near the far post to finish past Pacific goalkeeper Curtis Goldsmith. It's Hanlin's second goal of the year and Rhoads notches his team-best sixth assist.
 
The Tigers (1-14-1, 0-5-1 WCC) responded by pressuring the final third, searching for the equalizer, and they found it in the 68th minute. Spencer Vue sent in a hard-hit shot from distance that Portland (3-11-3, 1-5-0 WCC) keeper Paul Christensen was able to save. But the ball got away from the goalie due to the wet conditions, and Colin Bettencourt beat him to the loose ball to poke in the rebound, leveling the score 1-1.
 
But with 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Sanchez scored in true Eddie Sanchez fashion when he received a pass from Brandon Zambrano, took a touch to avoid a defender and buried a shot into the net, handing the lead back to the Pilots.
 
The goal would stand and Sanchez claims his second game-winner of the year.
 
Christensen was solid in goal, finishing with four saves. Portland center back Conor Johnston came through with a clutch team save in the 49th minute. The junior defender was in the right place at the right time when it appeared a shot from Esteban Torres was destined for the back of the empty net. But Johnston was there to send it away just before it crossed the goal line.
 
The Pilots controlled possession for much of the first half and got a couple of quality shots from both Sanchez and Erik Edwardson. Sanchez just missed the upper 90 from a tough angle in the 12th minute, and Edwardson hit one wide after Rhoads had sent in a bending cross from distance in the 23rd minute.
 
The game was the last home game of 2015 for the Pilots, and seniors Rhoads and Colby Trah were honored with a pre-game ceremony.
 
Portland next concludes the season at Saint Mary's next Saturday at 1 p.m.