EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Portland Pilots scored three second half goals to pull out a 3-0 victory over Bradley to claim the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic title on Sunday at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Freshman Benji Michel scored the game-winner, while Eddie Sanchez and Matthew Coffey provided insurance goals for the Pilots.
Portland (4-1-1) claims the tournament title over host Evansville by way of goal differential, while Sanchez earned the tournament's Offensive MVP award and Pilot sophomore Lionel Mills was named the Defensive MVP. Coffey and Michel also were placed on the All-Tournament Team.
"I'm proud of the team as we had to overcome a significant amount of travel to play two games in less than two days," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "Today we beat another good opponent in Bradley who isn't easy to play against. As the game went on we found a good rhythm and started passing the ball better to dictate the flow. We scored good goals in the run of play and defended much better today. Anytime you can win a tournament it continues to give the group confidence and cohesion. We now have another quick turnaround before we play on the road Thursday against Sacramento State."
The Pilots came back from a two-goal deficit to the Purple Aces Friday night for a 2-2 draw. Evansville defeated Fort Wayne on Sunday, 3-1. Portland now runs its unbeaten streak to five matches on the season.
Michel tallied his first collegiate goal in the 58th minute, heading a loose ball in the box just under the crossbar to give the Pilots a 1-0 lead.
Sanchez, who scored on a bicycle kick on Friday to earn some time on ESPN's SportsCenter, continued his goal-scoring ways in the 63rd minute. The Pilots were awarded a penalty and Sanchez had his initial attempt stopped, but he quickly followed with the rebound goal for a 2-0 Pilots lead.
Coffey capped the scoring in the 90th minute as Michel was credited with the assist.
Portland racked up a 12-6 margin in shots for the match, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal.
Junior goalkeeper Paul Christensen made three saves in recording his second shutout of the season.
Next up for the Pilots is another road trip, this time to Northern California. First on Thursday the Pilots will be in Sacramento to face the Sacramento State Hornets at 4:30 p.m. Sunday brings match-up with UC Davis in Davis at 3:00 p.m.
