PORTLAND, Ore. --- After Portland's Kimberly Hazlett provided the equalizer in the first half, freshman MJ Roe scored her first career goal in the 47th minute as the Pilots defeated the Denver Pioneers 2-1 at the Nike Portland Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field. Taryn Ries assisted on both goals for the Pilots.
 
Denver (3-2-1) got on the board first when they jumped ahead courtesy an own-goal in the fourth minute.
 
The Pioneers' lead was short-lived as Hazlett found the back of the net in the ninth minute. Ellie Walker helped set up the goal when she connected with Ries, left of the 18. Ries then sent a dangerous ball towards the top of the six-yard box, and that's where Hazlett finished with her first goal of the year, leveling the score 1-1.
 
The Pilots (2-1-1) continued to create chances from there, but the score remained tied for the rest of the first half. Ries had an opportunity in the 31st minute when she tried to finish first time on a cross from Larkin Russell, but she hit it wide.
 
Portland wasted little time in the second half to claim the lead as Ries found Roe with a through ball 90 seconds in. Roe took a touch before sending a low, hard-hit strike past the Denver goalkeeper to give the home side the 2-1 edge. Ries collected her second assist of the game on Roe's goal.
 
The Denver Pioneers then turned up the pressure in the final third of the field searching for that equalizer, but the Portland defense was solid and did well to limit DU's chances. Portland freshman goalkeeper Jenny Wahlen finished with two saves, and center back Olivia Dendinger produced a key stop on a Pioneer shot in the 66th minute.
 
In the 82nd minute, Hazlett nearly came through with an insurance goal, but her shot from 20 yards out was just high, grazing the crossbar on its way out.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a trip to Eugene, Ore., where they'll face the Oregon Ducks on Friday. Kickoff for the two in-state rivals is set for 7 p.m.