VICTORIA, B.C. – Playing their final game of the 2016 PDL season, the Portland Timbers U-23s scored a late goal to earn a 2-2 draw on the road against Victoria Highlanders FC at the University of Victoria on Sunday afternoon.
After Highlanders FC (3-5-6, 15pts) scored a goal early on in the first-half from a well taken free kick just outside of the 18-yard box, the Timbers U-23s (2-7-5, 11 pts) created several scoring oppurtunities. Midfielder Nate Shultz nearly scored in the 20th minute when his attempt from inside the six-yard box went just wide of the post.
The U-23s leveled the score in the 32nd minute when defender Niko De Vera whipped in a ball from the right flank and found forward Benji Michel, who’s right-footed shot went past the Highlanders FC goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Portland nearly took the lead heading into halftime when Michel’s penalty kick attempt was pushed away by the opposing keeper.
With Portland controlling the possession in the second-half, Highlanders FC scored against the run of play in the 60th minute when the Victoria attacker finished past Portland goalkeeper Andrew Konstantino.
Portland defender Max Ornstil leveled the match in the 76th minute to make it 2-2 after clever combination play on the edge of the 18-yard box and his right-footed shot was driven past the Highlanders goalkeeper. The U-23s finished the season with a 1-1-2 record in their final four games of the season.
Lineup
POR: GK Konstantino, D De Vera, D Presscott, D Ornstil, D Kilmer, M Michelson, M Gaines, M Shultz, M White, M Machionne, F Michel
