PORTLAND, Ore. --- Sacramento State scored in the first minute, Benji Michel tallied the equalizer for Portland in the 27th minute, and the Pilots and Hornets would eventually play to a 1-1 draw in the season opener in front of 4,409 fans at Merlo Field on Friday night. Michel, a junior forward, led the Pilots last season with 10 goals.
 
The Hornets (0-0-1) jumped out to an early lead when they capitalized on a ball inside the 18-yard box just 55 seconds into the match. Benji Kikanovic played it through, and Dominic Scotti did well to avoid the defenders and find the back of the net.
 
Michel then leveled the score when Gio Magana-Rivera played a nice ball into space, creating a 1-v-1 opportunity. Michel took a touch wide to avoid the keeper, before finishing from a tough angle, sneaking a well-struck shot just inside the far post.
 
From there the Pilots (0-0-1) continued to create chances against the short-handed Hornets, who had a player receive a straight red card in the sixth minute. In the 35th minute Portland's Malcolm Dixon sent a cross into the box that Michel tried to finish with a volley on his first touch from six yards out. But Sacramento State keeper Nick Kubler made a diving save to re-direct ball over the crossbar.
 
Moments later Magana-Rivera hit a shot from 15 yards out, and this time Kubler preserved the tie with a kick save as the Pilots and Hornets would enter the locker room at half even 1-1.
 
The Pilots continued to pressure the final third after the break. In the 52nd minute Michel had possession inside the area, took a handful of touches before hitting one towards the frame, but again Kubler was there for the stop.
 
On a Pilot corner kick in 79th minute, Magana-Rivera sent powerful header wide of the left post, and the two sides would head for overtime.
 
Magana-Rivera attempted the only shot during the first extra period, which was high of the cross bar. In the second overtime, the Pilots repeatedly sent balls into the box, but were ultimately unable to connect with that final touch.
 
Portland finished with a 10-4 edge in shots as the Hornets packed it in for much of the night. UP goalkeeper Nico Campuzano finished with one save, while Kubler countered with five.
 
The Pilots next host the Syracuse Orange on Sunday, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. at Merlo Field. The game is part of a double header as the women's team will first face Washington at 5:00 p.m.