In a standing room only crowd at the Pilot House Monday morning, the University of Portland men’s soccer team watched a projector screen as they waited anxiously to hear their team’s fate in the NCAA Division I soccer championship bracket during the tournament selection show.
After waiting about 10 minutes, by the time more than half of the 48-field team field had been announced, the Pilots had their answer. The team and members of the Portland community burst into cheers and applause as Portland’s name appeared on the screen.
The team will hit the road to Albuquerque to face New Mexico on Nov. 17 in the opening round.
The last time the Pilots made the playoffs in 2009, they also faced the Lobos on the road in the first round. Portland snuck away with victory in overtime with a game-winning goal in the 98th minute.
“We’re just focused on this year and this group and how we can continue to get better to push this Pilot revolution forward,” first-year head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt said.
Senior midfielder Eddie Sanchez is excited to know his opponent and to get the tournament underway.
“Nothing changes from playing at home and going on away games, we’ve prepared the same way,” Sanchez said.
A win in Albuquerque would bring the Pilots closer to home to face No. 11 Washington in Seattle for the second round on Nov. 20.
