The Portland Pilots men’s soccer team failed to get an at large bid for the NCAA tournament, marking the end of the 2017 season for them.
The Pilots had a good chance to make the playoffs this year, mostly due to a solid record and rigorous schedule. They finished 4-2-1 in conference play, good enough for second in the WCC, just missing out on back-to-back conference championships thanks to a loss to St. Mary’s this past Saturday. They also played a difficult nonconference schedule, including two top ten teams in Western Michigan and Virginia. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to make the tournament.
“Thanks to everyone @UPortland for their support of our program,” Nick Carlin-Voight, the head coach for the Pilots tweeted out on Monday. “Next season starts today and this will drive us @VillaDrumSquad.”
Even though the Pilots didn’t get the tournament bid, many players on the team earned individual honors. Senior goalkeeper Paul Christensen earned 1st team All-WCC as well as WCC goalkeeper of the year for the second straight year. Sophomores Benji Michel and Rey Ortiz also earned 1st team All-WCC honors, with Michel leading the WCC in goals and Ortiz ranking second nationally in assists per game with 0.76 and third nationally in total assists with 13.
Three seniors also earned individual honors, with Kris Reaves earning second team All-WCC honors while Matthew Coffey and Erik Edwardson earning All-WCC honorable mention. Spencer Myers also made the All-WCC Freshman team.
