SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. --- After the Pilots leveled the score with Billy Garton's first career goal, the Cal Poly Mustangs scored two unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 win over Portland in a non-conference men's soccer game played on Monday night at Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Garton is a redshirt-freshman who was making his first career start.
 
Cal Poly's (4-4-0) first goal came in the 15th minute when a corner kick sailed over everybody to the far side of the pitch. Diego Alonso then collected it before serving a ball into the area, where Kaba Alkebulan elevated near the top of the six-yard box and finished inside the left post, giving the hosts the 1-0 lead.
 
Portland had an answer, and it came in the form of a tremendous goal by Garton in the 24th minute. Malcolm Dixon found Garton, who took a couple of touches before having a crack at the frame. Garton hit it just right from 20 yards out, sending it past the Cal Poly keeper and into the left corner of the net. Dixon claims the assist as the Pilots evened the score 1-1.
 
But the Mustangs would re-claim the lead before the end of the first half. This time Nick Carroll sent a perfectly weighted free kick over the top from near the half-line, and Sean Goode did the rest, placing a header over Portland goalie Paul Christensen to make it 2-1.
 
Cal Poly's final goal came early in the second half when Adam Olsen converted a penalty in the 49th minute.
 
The Pilots (4-4-0) spent the rest of the match trying to overcome the deficit, owning possession for most of the final 40 minutes.
 
Garton had a shot saved from 12 yards out in 65th minute, and Gio Magana-Rivera drove an attempt high in the 79th minute. Portland continued to earn corner kicks, but were ultimately unable to find the final touch.
 
The Pilots next return home for a non-conference match on Friday night against Western Michigan, who was ranked No. 12 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches' Poll. Kickoff for the Pilots and Broncos is set for 7 p.m. at Merlo Field.