PORTLAND, Ore. --- After the San Jose State Spartans tied the game with a late goal, Portland's Matthew Coffey and Geoffrey Dunn connected on the game-winner in the 97th minute as the Pilots capped the 2016 Nike Invitational with a 2-1 win at Merlo Field on Sunday afternoon. The game-winner is the second in the career for Dunn, while Coffey earns his first assist on the year.
 
After Portland goalkeeper Paul Christensen made a pair of saves early in OT to keep the game level, the Pilots were awarded a free kick just outside the top right corner of the 18-yard box. Coffey then sent in a ball, and Dunn got enough of a touch on it to head it past the San Jose State keeper and into the right corner of the net.
 
Dunn's goal allows the Pilots to win their third straight match and improve to 3-1-0 on the year, while the Spartans drop to 1-2-1. The win also allows the Pilots to share the tourney's team title with the Oregon State Beavers, who also won both their games during the weekend.
 
"Great result today for the program as we defended our home field all weekend and earned two important wins as we reclaim the Nike Invitational which has been part of the fabric of program for so long," said Nick Carlin-Voigt, Portland's first-year head coach. "The guys continue to buy into the team process and each other after a comprehensive performance and win against Ohio State. Our first half was excellent again as we created enough chances to put the game away. Credit to San Jose State for battling and drawing even late in the game. Our guys showed tremendous championship grit in the critical moments to get the result. We now prepare for a very good Evansville team on the road next Friday."

The Pilots dominated possession all day long and consistently pressured the Spartans' backline. Portland had several quality chances during the first half, out-shooting the visiting side 12-2 during the first 45 minutes. San Jose State goalkeeper Nedin Tucakovic kept the game scoreless for much of the first half with three stops, and the Pilots hit the post with a shot as well.
 
But Erik Edwardson finally broke through for Portland when he buried a shot on a free kick in the 43rd minute. From about 24 yards out, he bent a shot that skimmed the left post on its way into the back of the net, out of the reach of a diving Tucakovic. The goal is his second of the year and it allowed the Pilots to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room at half.
 
The Spartans looked to equalize after the half, but Christensen helped keep the game 1-0 with a stellar save in the 56th minute. Carlos Valdovinos was looking to go far post with a shot from about 20 yards out, but the junior keeper dove to get a touch on it and re-direct it out for a corner.
 
The Pilots continued to attack the final third, and in the 72nd minute a San Jose State clearance fell to the feet of Malcom Dixon. Dixon took a few touches before hitting a dangerous, bouncing shot through traffic towards the left post. Tucakovic did well to dive and get a touch on the ball, pushing it wide to keep the deficit at one-goal.
 
And then in the 86th minute, the Spartans evened the score with a goal on corner kick. Leonardo Silva sent a ball in, and Kyle O'Mahoney bodied it into the goal, sending the game to overtime.
 
The Pilots finished with a sizable 19-8 edge in shots, while also claiming a 9-6 advantage in corners.

Oregon State's Timmy Mueller was named the Nike Invitational's Offensive MVP, while Portland's Matthew Coffey nabbed defensive MVP Honors. Both were named to the Nike Invite's All-Tournament Team as well and were joined by Eric Edwardson (Portland), Paul Christensen (Portland), Geoffrey Dunn (Portland), Jordan Jones (Oregon State), David Norman Jr. (Oregon State), Don Tchilao (Oregon State), Nate Kohl (Ohio State), Abdi Mohamed (Ohio State), Scott Buskey (San Jose State), and Kyle O'Mahoney (San Jose State).
 
The Pilots next begin a lengthy stretch of road games with a non-conference match at Evansville on Friday. Kickoff with the Purple Aces is set for 5:00 p.m. (Pacific), and Portland will also face Bradley while at the Evansville Tournament in Indiana.