The Pilot’s Athletic Department has been busy both on and off the pitch, or court.
Men’s soccer progressed to the elite eight round of the NCAA tournament. Men’s basketball participated in the Phil Knight Invitational and the women’s basketball team won the St. Pete showcase. Volleyball had three players who were honored by the WCC.
In news off the court, UP won the bid to host the women’s NCAA Final Four basketball tournament in 2030. This will be the first time they are hosting and the first time the final four will be played out in Oregon.
Here’s all that you’ve missed in Pilot’s sports.
Men’s Soccer
On Nov. 26 the men’s team took to Merlo to take on Western Michigan in the sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament. They beat the Broncos 1-0 with the lone goal coming from junior Delentz Pierre, making it his second goal of the season. With the Pilot’s win they head to the Elite Eight for the first time since their 1995 season.
The men’s team will be traveling to take on Pittsburgh on Dec. 3.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team showed the nation that they mean business at the Phil Knight Invitational where they took on some of the best teams.
First they played the University of North Carolina losing only 81-89. UNC is currently ranked number one in the U.S. Some notable efforts by the Pilots came from redshirt junior Moses Wood who put up 21 points, redshirt freshman Alden Applewhite who put up 14 and junior Tyler Robertson who put up 13.
They next took on Villanova, winning 83-71. Wood and Robertson again put in an effort on the court, they collected 14 and 13 points respectively.
Finally, UP played No. 12 Michigan, falling short by just one point, losing 76-77. Robertson again made an impact on the court tallying 16 points alongside Applewhite who earned 16 in this game.
Coming up, The men’s team takes on Multnomah University at home on Nov. 30. This will mark the first of a stretch of home games. UP takes on both North Dakota and North Dakota State on Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 and then they’ll play New Orleans University on Dec. 10.
Women’s Basketball
Photo credit: University of Portland Athletic Department
The women’s basketball team traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida to compete in the St. Pete Showcase.
They first took on the University of Houston, winning 66-60. For the Pilot’s, junior Alex Fowler tallied 20 points, sophomore Maisie Burnham tallied 16, and junior Lucy Cochrane garnered 11 points.
Then they played Northeastern, winning 67-41. Fowler again earned the most points for the Pilots with 14. Cochrane earned 12 and redshirt junior Liana Kaitu’u tallied 10.
The next game for the women’s team will be on Nov. 30 at home against Evergreen State.
In other basketball related news, alongside UP, the NCAA women's basketball Final Four tournament in 2030 will be hosted by the Portland Trail Blazers/Rose Quarter, Sport Oregon, and Travel Portland.
Volleyball
Three players on the volleyball team earned WCC honors. Seniors Jayde Harris and Noelani Helm both earned All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mentions and Maui Robins earned a spot on the All-WCC Freshman team.
The volleyball team wrapped up their season on Nov. 22, with an overall record of 10-19 and were 3-15 in league play.
Wilder Isom is the Sports Editor at The Beacon. She can be reached at isomw24@up.edu
