PORTLAND, Ore. --- After a 1-1 tie at the half, Grand Canyon scored three goals in the second half and the Antelopes got some huge saves from goalkeeper Kendyl Day to claim a 4-1 win over the Portland Pilots at the Nike Portland Invitational on Friday night at Merlo Field. Day finished with six saves, and junior Matthew Coffey scored Portland's (0-3-0) goal in the 31st minute.
 
Coffey's goal came after the Antelopes (1-1-0) had just taken the lead courtesy an own-goal. Erik Edwardson sent a pass up the far touch line, where Eddie Sanchez ran onto it before sending a perfect ball into the box. Coffey managed to get there and finish with a sliding shot, notching the score 1-1.
 
Portland continued to pressure the Grand Canyon frame after the goal, and Day denied a header by Edwardson from point blank range in the 35th minute. The Pilots finished the first half with 11 shots and a remarkable 11 corner kicks.
 
The Pilots continued to compile corners after the break, but it was the Antelopes who found the back of the net with a stellar goal in the 55th minute. Niki Jackson played a ball out wide to Alberto Garcia Sanchez, who sent in a cross towards the top of the six-yard box. Jackson then put the ball into the back of the net with a diving header to make it 2-1.
 
Portland then looked for the equalizer, and it appeared Hugo Rhoads may have found it when he drilled a shot towards the upper left corner of the net. But Day somehow got there to get a touch on the ball, tipping it over the crossbar.
 
The save proved to be key as two minutes later Grand Canyon was awarded a penalty after the Pilots were called for a foul inside the 18-yard box. Garcia Sanchez converted the free attempt and just like that it was 3-1 in favor of the Antelopes.
 
The Pilots nearly had a response, but this time Colby Trah hit a shot wide off of a nice ball from Rhoads.
 
Grand Canyon then sealed the win with a goal from Damian German in the 81st minute.
 
Portland claimed slight 18-17 advantage in shots, while claiming a sizable 18-3 edge in corners.
 
The Pilots next remain at home to conclude the Nike Invitational on Sunday against Vermont. Kickoff with the Catamounts is set for 5 p.m.