Portland Pilots
Overall Rank: #16
#2 West Coast
Portland Team Page
The Portland Pilots return a balanced side that has some reloading to do but overall should still be a very tough team to deal with in 2014. After winning 17 matches lasts season the expectations are very high, despite some key personnel losses, to make a run once again at the West Coast Conference title. The Pilots advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and will be looking to make a deep run in the postseason this fall.
2013 Record: 17-3-1, 8-1-0
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Garrett Smith
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Danica Evans, Sophomore, F, 5
Assists: Danica Evans, Sophomore, F, 7
Shots: Danica Evans, Sophomore, F, 40
Saves: None
Other Key Returnees: F Noelle La Prevotte, M/F Emily Sippel, M Parkes Kendrick, M Allison Wetherington, M Rebekah Kurle, D/M Ellie Boon, D Ariel Viera, D Lorielle McCluskie
Key Losses: F Micaela Cappelle, M Ellen Parker, D/F Amanda Frisbie, GK Erin Dees
Strengths:
Allison Wetherington, who was the 2013 West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, will be back along sophomore forward Danica Evans. These two combined for nine goals in 2013 and will be relied upon to try and double that this fall. The backline should still be pretty stout with the return of Lorielle McCluskie, Ariel Viera and midfielder/defender Ellie Boon. The experience of these three players should help ease the transition for whomever wins the goalkeeper job.
Weaknesses:
There is work to do in reloading the attack for head coach Garrett Smith. The loss of forwards Micaela Cappelle and midfielder Ellen Parker, along with Amanda Frisbie, is about 50 percent of the goal scoring from 2013. The goalkeeper battle should be fascinating as incoming players Taylor Luty and Hanna de Haan will battle it out for the starting spot there. The ability to navigate the schedule will be an interesting storyline, as a result against Florida State in the season opener would be a huge confidence booster for the Pilots.
Final Projection:
Portland is going to have to hit the ground running as their schedule is very difficult right out of the gate. The Pilots will take on Florida State in one of the best matches of the opening weekend. The home schedule will bring Stanford to Merlo Field on August 30th in a great regional showdown. If Portland can get a result here that will help greatly for NCAA Tournament seeding. The conference slate will be highlighted by two difficult road matches at Brigham Young on October 9th and Santa Clara on November 2nd. The matchup with the Broncos could very well determine the West Coast Conference champion. If the Pilots can reload the offensive attack in a quick and timely fashion they will be a seeded team in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.05 (37th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.888 (63, 2)
Shutout Percentage: 0.429 (65, 2)
Save Percentage: 0.784 (148, 4)
Madness 2015 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#38 Rebekah Kurle
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#87 Jessica Kennedy
#106 Maddie Dieker
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
