PORTLAND, Ore. --- After falling behind Syracuse in the first half, Portland's Benji Michel provided the equalizer and Rey Ortiz buried the game-winner in the 76th minute as the Pilots toppled the Orange 2-1 in a non-conference men's soccer match played on Sunday night at Merlo Field. It's the second goal in as many games for Michel, and Ortiz claims his first game-winner on the young season.
 
The comeback was needed after Syracuse (1-1-0) scored first with a goal from Tajon Buchanan in the 26th minute. The visitors strung together some passes in Portland's half before a nifty ball from Ferrin Massimo set up Buchanan near the top of the 18. Buchanan then finished into the back of the net to make it a 1-0 game with his first goal of the year.
 
The Syracuse lead was short-lived as the Pilots (1-0-1) responded barely two minutes later. Esteban Calvo sent a perfect ball towards the top of the six-yard box, and Michel provided a well-time run before elevating and leveling the score with a powerful header.
 
The game would remain tied until the 76th minute when Michel's speed and a nice through ball caused the Orange to commit a foul inside the area. The ref pointed to the spot awarding Portland a penalty, and Ortiz slotted it in to hand the home side the 2-1 edge.
 
The Pilots were able to hold on from there, despite a scramble on a loose ball inside the box during the game's final seconds. Massimo's final attempt in the 90th minute, which was a back heel shot, rolled just wide, and the Pilots registered their first win on the year.
 
The Pilots were the more aggressive team during the first 45 minutes, and Ortiz, Michel, and Gio Magana-Rivera each sent quality shots towards the frame. In the seventh minute, Magana-Rivera had only the keeper to beat, but he pushed a shot wide of the left post from about 16 yards out.
 
Michel hammered a shot in the 11th minute that took a deflection to end up in the side netting, and Ortiz drove one towards the near post that was just inches wide in the 21st minute.
 
Portland out-shot Syracuse 10-5 as the Pilots did well to limit the visiting side's chances. Goalkeeper Kienan Weekes made two saves on the night for the Pilots to help preserve the win.
 
The Pilots remain at home next week to host the 2018 Nike Portland Invitational, which opens with a match against UCSB on Friday night at 7 p.m. Portland then hosts Cal Poly on Monday.