PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland freshman Erik Edwardson scored an impressive goal in the 60th minute, but UP alum Steven Evans and his Portland Timbers 2 side prevailed 4-1 over the Pilots in an exhibition soccer match played on Sunday night at Merlo Field. Evans scored a goal in his return to The Bluff, which came in the 40th minute.
 
Evans' goal came after his teammates Kharlton Belmar and Fatawu had scored in the 17th and 34th minutes, respectively, to hand the pro side an early lead. Belmar headed in a cross from Rundell Winchester, and Fatawu drove a skipping shot inside the left post from 30 yards out.
 
Evans then deftly chested a ball into an open net that gave T2 a three-goal cushion before the half.
 
Edwardson and the Pilots got on the scoreboard after the break when Eddie Sanchez whipped a perfectly placed ball into the 18-yard box. Edwardson was there to finish with a header just inside the right post and out of the reach of T2 goalkeeper Justin Luthy.
 
Winchester then capped the scoring when he scored in the 73rd minute.
 
Portland keeper Paul Christensen made some impressive saves in the second half, finishing with three stops. T2 registered a 15-9 edge in total shots.
 
Sanchez forced Luthy into making a couple of saves, including in the 27th minute when he nearly found the back of the net on a free kick from 22 yards out. Luthy, who made three saves on the night, dove to his right to deny the shot.


The exhibition match, as well as the friendly on Saturday night between the UP women and the Portland Thorns, was presented by Providence Health & Services. $2 of every ticket purchased went to supporting Providences' sports screening and health education programs for youth in our communities.
 
T2 is in its inaugural season and will be competing in USL, a division of US Soccer below Major League Soccer. T2 will play most of their home games at Merlo Field during the 2015 USL season.