by Malika Andrews |
Things are looking up for women’s soccer. The Pilots are currently on a two-game winning streak and sit at 2-2 in WCC play. Even with the rocky start, no one is counted out of the playoffs yet.
The playoffs are comprised of 64 teams. The 30 conference champions qualify automatically while the remaining 34 teams are selected by a the NCAA soccer committee.
The most glaring issues for the Pilots this year has been injury, inexperience and the lack of a “go-to scorer.”
Portland impact players are struggling with injury. Hanna Armendariz, who was expected to be a big scorer for the Pilots, is out for the season with an ACL tear. Kaycie Young tore her ACL last season and then fractured her patella while rehabbing her ACL. Jess Kennedy, who was still recovering from last season’s ACL tear, is finally starting to look like herself on the pitch.
Considering all of these injuries, it was no surprise the Pilots were 0-2 in the WCC before last weekend. Last Sunday in Stockton, California, the Pilots steamrolled Pacific with a 4-0 win. It was the midfield that stepped up to score.
Three different Pilots scored in the game against the Tigers. Allison Wetherington netted her second goal of the year. ESPN W’s Griffin Hayes has called out Wetherington as the next superstar for the Pilots. Cecilia Pederson, who has picked up the slack in Portland’s offense this year, scored her fourth goal of the season. Hannah Griffiths Boston scored two goals in the game.
Historically, women’s soccer is athletics’ dynasty on The Bluff. This weekend, UP will be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Portland’s NCAA championship. With that honor, comes responsibility. Every team following the 2005 team is in some way, even unintentionally, compared to that squad. It is an expectation that Portland at least make the tournament.
Last week, I wrote that Portland soccer is looking hopeless this year. After last weekend’s two wins, I have changed my mind. They are broken, but a 2-2 record isn’t a death sentence. This is the tipping point. If Portland can carry the momentum they have now into the remaining games, they will make the tournament.
There is fight left.
Malika Andrews is the sports editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at andrewsm17@up.edu or on Twitter @malika_andrews.
