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.