SWEET SIXTEEN, VS VIRGINIA

i can't believe it either, but our men are in the sweet 16. they will play virginia next sunday.
i know they were beat 3-0 at home the first game this season, but this is a very, very different Pilot team. These men have been very entertaining this year, and i am so pleased they are doing this well. lets see if they can put things together and keep this season going even further. i'm sold...the mens teams is back. its time for everyone to start paying attention again, UP isn't just women's soccer anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great two wins for the men's team. Agree, that they are much stronger and peaking at just the right time. They have a real good chance of beating Virginia this time around. Go pilots!

If you're looking for an optimistic angle ...

Portland's non-conference record away from Merlo Field this season is 6-0-1.

Maryland, like Portland, is an unseeded team. I'm guessing that the answer is "no", but ...

If Maryland beats Harvard and we beat Virginia, is there any chance we'd get the quarterfinal at home?

Maryland does have the better record. But if the question then is who has the better facility you don't even have to look at Maryland's field. Portland would blow out every team in the bracket.

eProf wrote:Maryland, like Portland, is an unseeded team. I'm guessing that the answer is "no", but ...

If Maryland beats Harvard and we beat Virginia, is there any chance we'd get the quarterfinal at home?

The men, unlike the women, in theory have a complicated system for evaluating applications teams put in to host games. But, I'll bet that if both teams get through, the one with the best RPI will host. Unfortunately, we don't know which team that is and I don't replicate the RPI for the men.

One of the NCAA significant considerations is supposed to be players' missed class time. On that one, the Pilots should have a better shot at the game than Maryland.

I just looked at the U of Va schedule/results and this is going to be a tough one. In 21 games, they have given up 7 goals and never 2 in one game. No wonder they are ranked so high.

Hello Pilot Nation. Congratulations on your recent victory over NC State and your season!

A little update on our team, yes, we have one of the best defenses we've had here in quite sometime. They are going on 1,000 minutes without surrendering a goal. Our keeper, Diego Restrepo, just broke Tony Meola's record of shutouts in a season, as well as his consecutive scoreless minutes streak.

We went through a rough patch in the early-mid part of the season. Ownby was away with the U-20 WC team and we weren't scoring much. After our OT loss @ UNC however, we have really started to pick up steam.

How has your team improved since our first meeting of the season? Who are your key players, etc.?

BTW - wasn't able to attend, but saw footage from our game with you and you have a beautiful facility there!

Wait, their goalie is better than Meola?? Does that mean he will actually make the Jets team??

Seriously though, looks like a 1-0 result for us would be great. Go Pilots!

I think we throw out the ball and see how much Portland has improved. My bet is that the game will be closer than 3 zip. But Virginia is clearly a skilled and accomplished opponent and should be favored, particularly given that they whipped us soundly early in the season.

Speaking of facilities, it is always affirming to stand in the Jefferson designed rotunda and to look upon the hallowed grounds of your campus. I enoy the trip to Charllotesville and the immersion into Jefferson lore.

It seems hardly fair to be playing a team there, but I am sure our players will not be distracted, though surrounded by history.

Good luck to the Cavaliers . . .Go Pilots.

Go Pilots!

I have not forgotten about this game, trust me. Blame the basketball team.

Like Clive would say, if they enjoy themselves and have fun like they have been, anything is possible.

GOOOOOOOOOO PILOTS!

I cannot wait for this game to get started, GOOOOOO PILOTS!

One hour to game time! I've started the party in the chatbox already. Me and my coffee are waiting. Impatiently.

DJ Sherman, come into the Chatbox. Thank you.