PORTLAND, Ore. --- With one second remaining in the second overtime, UNLV's Daniel Moran somehow found the game-winner to allow the Rebels to escape Merlo Field with a stunning 3-2 win over the No. 15 Portland Pilots on Friday night. The game was hard-fought as the Pilots played a man-down for the final 71 minutes of the season opener.
 
"I was very proud of our character and spirit playing down a man for nearly 70 minutes," said Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "The players gave our supporters and team everything they had and played like warriors. I couldn't be more proud of our effort. This ones hurts as I thought we played well enough to win or at least draw and created great chances in the second half as we dictated the game and tempo. You saw our championship grit and hunger on display tonight and there are so many positives to take away as we move forward. We will bounce back as we prepare for a tough Fairfield team Sunday. Thank you to the Pilot community who showed again why we have the best fans in college soccer. We will need you back at Merlo on Sunday at 5:00!"

Portland (0-1-0) sophomore Benji Michel opened the scoring in the 14th minute, when he finished a Jason Romero cross to hand the home side a 1-0 lead. Michel, who led the West Coast Conference last season with 10 goals, found the back of the net from the middle of the box. Romero, a senior, sent the ball in from right of the 18 after receiving a pass from freshman Caua Soares.
 
The Rebels (1-0-0) had an answer, and about seven minutes later Danny Musovski provided the equalizer. The Preseason All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy Preseason watch list member had a well-time run, and planted a header into the corner of the net to level the score 1-1. Timo Mehlich provided the assist when he sent a free kick into the box.
 
Portland reclaimed the lead in the 37th minute, this time with Gio Magana-Rivera slotting one in to make it a 2-1 game. Rey Ortiz found the unmarked Magana-Rivera near the penalty spot, and the sophomore remained composed to beat UNLV keeper Enrique Adame.
 
The game took on a different look minutes later when Portland's Hanno Antoni was shown a straight red card in the 39th minute.
 
But Portland re-grouped and were solid defensively for the remainder of the game, preserving the 2-1 lead for much of the second half. It wasn't until the 68th minute when the Rebels finally evened the score on a goal that was set up with some solid passing. Marco Gonzalez found Musovski wide of the 18, Musovski then sent one across the top of the six, where Spencer Jackson provided the one-touch finish.
 
In the 77th minute, the Pilots had a golden opportunity when Brandon Zambrano played a through ball to Erik Edwardson, creating a 1-v-1 chance. But the shot from Edwardson was just wide of the right post as the two teams headed to extra time.
 
Neither side created much offense during the first overtime, but both teams tried to find a possible winner during the second. Portland freshman Spencer Myers drove a shot towards the left post that was saved by Adame with a minute remaining, and the Pilots were unable to capitalize on the ensuing corner.
 
And then just as the game appeared to be headed for a tie, the Rebels were awarded a free kick from about 75 yards out. Adame the lifted a long ball towards the top of the 18, which took a bounce before Moran got his head on the ball and sent the visitors home with a win.
 
The game was evenly played throughout, and the Pilots finished with slight 17-15 edge in shots. Portland also had a slim 4-3 advantage in corners, and goalie Paul Christensen finished with four saves. Adame countered with three.
 
The Pilots remain at home to host Fairfield on Sunday for a 5 p.m. match at Merlo Field.