PORTLAND, Ore. --- Down 2-0 at the half, Portland's Thomas Peterson scored twice after the break and Eddie Sanchez connected on a world class strike in the 75th minute as the Pilots rallied to defeat the Vermont Catamounts 3-2 on the final day of the Nike Portland Invitational on Sunday evening at Merlo Field. It's the first two goals of the season for Peterson and it's the first game-winner for Sanchez.
With Vermont (1-3-0) nursing a two-goal lead, Peterson pulled one back with a deft finish on a ball sent in by Hugo Rhoads in the 55th minute. From the left wing, Rhoads delivered a long, low ball towards the top of the six-yard box, where Peterson got a touch on it to deflect it past Vermont goalkeeper Greg Walton.
Then in the 69th minute, Peterson tallied the equalizer, this time on a header from near the left post. With Peterson posting up the defender, Erik Edwardson provided a brilliant ball from right of the 18. The cross found the head of Peterson, who deposited it into the right corner of the net to level the score 2-2.
The score would remain tied until Sanchez provided one for the highlight reel. Sanchez received a short pass from Colby Trah, took a couple of touches and unleased a shot with his left foot from 25 yards out that found the back of the net and avoided a diving Walton.
The tremendous goal by Sanchez gave Portland (1-3-0) its first lead of the game, and keeper Paul Christensen made sure it stayed that way with a match-saving stop in the 83rd minute. From just outside the 18, Jackson Dayton drilled a shot towards the frame, but Christensen was there to deny the attempt and preserve the win.
Christensen finished with three saves on the day, which included a diving stop on a deflected shot in the 18th minute.
Jamie Miralles scored the Catamounts' first goal when he bent one into the top right corner on a free kick from 19 yards out in the 26th minute. The lead grew to 2-0 when Stefan Lammana did well to get a finishing touch on the ball off a long throw in to sneak one past Christensen.
The Pilots claimed a 13-8 edge in shots and an 8-3 advantage in corners. Rhoads earned his first assist of the year, while Edwardson notches his second.
The Pilots next head to Dallas, Texas, to face Southern Methodist on Thursday. Kickoff for the Pilots and Mustangs is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific)
