PORTLAND, Ore. --- Malcolm Dixon and Benji Michel both scored a goal for Portland as the No. 15 Pilots stayed unbeaten on the year with a solid 2-1 win over the Oregon State Beavers on Friday night at Merlo Field. It's the first goal of the season for Dixon, and Michel claims game-winner number four and his seventh goal overall.
 
Dixon's goal came in the 60th minute of a scoreless game after he made a lengthy run with possession into the area. Near the top of the six-yard box, Dixon collided with defender, which sent both players to the ground. He then quickly got to his feet and surprised everybody with a back-heel shot that found the back of the net. The stellar goal is the second in the career for Dixon, and it handed the home side a 1-0 lead.
 
Seven minutes later the Beavers caught a break when the Pilots were called for a hand ball inside the 18-yard box, giving a OSU a PK. Don Tchilao then stepped to the spot and slotted it inside the left post, leveling the score 1-1. It's the fourth goal of the year for Tchilao.
 
The Pilots had a handful of chances from there, including in the 72nd minute when Michel had a header from point-blank range saved by Oregon State keeper Adrian Fernandez. Greg Tracey then sent a well-struck shot towards the frame from distance that was also denied by Fernandez.
 
But in the 80th minute, the Pilots took a one-goal lead after a corner kick eventually fell to the feet of Luke Hendel, who sent a long ball back into the box towards the far post. Tracey headed it across the goal, where Esteban Calvo chested it into the air and flicked it towards the six. That's where Michel punched it past Fernandez to give a 2-1 edge to the Pilots, a lead they would hold on to.
 
Portland improves to 6-0-2 on the season, which is the best start for the program since 1989. The Beavers suffer just their second loss of the year to drop to 4-2-2. 
 
UP goalkeeper Kienan Weekes made a nice kick save early in the match to keep the game scoreless, and Fernandez provided a stellar save at the other end of the field on a rocket off the foot of Tracey from the top of the 18.
 
Later in the first half, Gio Magana-Rivera and Michel nearly connected for the go-ahead goal when Magana-Rivera played it to Michel inside the 18. Fernandez was there to deflect the driven shot away as the two teams headed into the break tied 0-0.
 
Fernandez finished the night with five saves, while Weekes provided two.
 
Next the Pilots travel east for a match at No. 24 Coastal Carolina on Monday night, with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. (Pacific).