PHOENIX, Ariz. --- Portland's Conor Johnston scored a pair of stellar goals and Benji Michel added some insurance as the Pilots rolled to a 3-1 win over the Grand Canyon Antelopes at GCU Stadium on Thursday night. The two goals are the first in the career of Johnston, a senior outside back.

"I'm really proud of the response to come out and play on the front foot tonight," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "We deserved the result and were able to put our stamp on the game against a very talented Grand Canyon team. I have tremendous amount of respect for Grand Canyon head coach Schellas Hyndman, who's a legend in the coaching community as he's building an incredible program at Grand Canyon."

The first of Johnston's two goals came in impressive fashion in the eighth minute to hand the Pilots (5-3-1) an early lead. Brandon Zambrano hit a shot that was blocked in the direction of Johnston, and he cracked a volley into the right corner of the net, stunning the home side.

From there the Pilots continued to create chances, and only minutes later Eddie Sanchez sent in a perfect delivery on a free kick towards the penalty spot that a handful of Pilots nearly got on the end of. But the Antelopes caught a break as the score remained 1-0. And then in the 27th minute, Sanchez again sent a well-placed ball into the box. This time the header from Matthew Coffey was sent wide.

At the other end of the field, Portland goalkeeper Paul Christensen helped the Pilots maintain the 1-0 lead, courtesy a save on a header off a corner kick in the 30th minute. Moments later the junior keeper came through with another key save, and Coffey was there to deny the shot off the rebound.

Early in the second half, Sanchez again nearly sparked a Portland goal, this time playing an excellent ball forward to Michel, who made a well-timed run. But the Grand Canyon (3-5-0) keeper, Kendyl Day, came off his line to deny Michel.

And then in the 60th minute, the Antelopes leveled the score, courtesy a goal from Niki Johnson, his sixth of the season. A free kick was played in, and Johnson elevated and found the right side of the net to make it a 1-1 game.

The tie was short-lived as Johnston responded with another goal that was fairly similar to his first. This time a clearance came in his direction, and he again beat the keeper with a first-time finish from the top of the box. His tremendous goal would prove to be his first career game-winner.

Michel made sure of that as he gained possession about 35 yards out in the 83rd minute, took a couple of nifty touches and buried a shot inside the left post to make it a 3-1 game.

"Our coaching staff challenged the guys to give more after the disappointing weekend where we literally had nothing left in the tank," added Carlin-Voigt. "This stretch of five away games in 13 days was honesty the most draining road schedule I've ever seen, so for our guys to respond in the fashion they did speaks volumes to the character and commitment of the group. Credit to our athletic trainer Amber Eubanks for keeping our group as healthy as possible during this demanding stretch. We have to quickly regroup and prepare for a very talented Irvine team."

The Pilots took 17 shots on the night and attempted seven corners. Christensen finished with three saves.

The Pilots now head home to host the UC Irvine Anteaters on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff at Merlo Field is set for 3 p.m.