2023 Season

The markings on that field were the worst I've ever seen, and I refereed on virtually all the multi-use, turf fields in the Portland area. The soccer touchlines were blue the 18-yard and 6-yard boxes were very pale white obscured by the raucous pointy-ball markings in the end zones, and, as Geez said, there were at least two other sports' markings in various colors.

The Pilots played down to their opponents' level for most of the first half and large parts of the second. The hard and fast field was clearly interrupting their timing and touch.

Apparently they will come here next year to experience a real footballing experience!

SoreKnees wrote:Apparently they will come here next year to experience a real footballing experience!

Next season will apparently be the second annual "Cross & Anchors Classic" between the two Holy Cross schools.

DoubleDipper wrote:

SoreKnees wrote:Apparently they will come here next year to experience a real footballing experience!

Next season will apparently be the second annual "Cross & Anchors Classic" between the two Holy Cross schools.

Does anyone know why we dont play ND?

PNWPilot wrote:
Does anyone know why we dont play ND?

They don’t like coming to Merlo

We don’t particularly like the travel to South bend. No airport, thus a long bus ride on that end.

The Irish may not like coming to Merlo, but they do have an airport. I have flown into South Bend international Airport several times (as have many D-1 football teams). Allegiant, American, Delta, and United all fly into SBN.

Flights to/from SBN.
Most football teams playing Notre Dame charter  their own planes, as does ND football.

SoreKnees wrote:The markings on that field were the worst I've ever seen, and I refereed on virtually all the multi-use, turf fields in the Portland area.

Talked to Frenchie about this, and she said that many had asked her about the markings but that they "were not a problem."

The team did expect to play on the grass pitch and arrived there prior to the game to see the grass had been mowed and in good condition but there were not goal nets in place.

Apparently, the game had been moved to the multi-purpose field to accommodate the number of fans who showed up for the "Cross & Anchors Classic."

The Pilot Defence is getting notice, at least in the conference. After Bre Norris got the first defensive POW the first week of the season, Pilot women have gotten the award the last four weeks straight. Bre repeated the feat on the 11th and 18th of the month. Camille Ashe the gor the next two awards on the 25th and the 2nd, all well earned.

I figure they couldn’t give the award to Bre the last last two weeks since she only had to make 2 saves in the last two weeks, both against Cal Poly.

https://portlandpilots.com/news/2023/9/30/womens-soccer-portland-earns-4-0-victory-over-pacific.aspx

Yes, the Pilots defense has been great. In fact, the Pilots have the best goals against average in Division I. And on Wednesday, they play Gonzaga at Merlo, who has the best goals for average in Division I. From where I sit, this is a big, big game, very important to both teams.

GO PILOTS!

UPSoccerFanatic wrote: And on Wednesday, they play Gonzaga at Merlo, who has the best goals for average in Division I.  From where I sit, this is a big, big game, very important to both teams.

Two weeks ago during a chat with Frenchie, she pointed to tomorrow's GU game as the likely toughest WCC game the Pilots will play this season.

It's seems like the season kind of fizzled out at the end. I'm curious about others' thoughts looking back on it.

I enjoyed watching them this season. There are a lot of good players on the squad and toward the end of the season they seemed to jell in terms of ball and player movement. The defense was solid all year long, notwithstanding Bre's one mistake of the whole year coming at a critical time in the last game.

The one place I felt like they were inconsistent was in the final third. Every team fails to convert chances. But it seemed to happen to the Pilots a lot this season. And they didn't create all that many to start with.

What do we know about the incoming class? Any star strikers or playmakers?

SoreKnees wrote:What do we know about the incoming class? Any star strikers or playmakers?

Well, we know Kyah Zurek's wonderful story from last May...here's the link.

https://sports360az.com/knowing-who-you-are/

I am told Kyah signed with UP today...

SoreKnees wrote:The defense was solid all year long, notwithstanding Bre's one mistake of the whole year coming at a critical time in the last game.

Well, she yelled “keep” loud enough it could be heard in my section.
The defender should have let her have it.

Geezaldinho wrote:Well, she yelled “keep”  loud enough it could be heard in my section.
The defender should have let her have it.

Bre wins WCC Goalkeeper of the Year...

...and six of her teammates receive end of season recognition.

https://portlandpilots.com/news/2023/11/7/womens-soccer-bre-norris-wins-wcc-goalkeeper-of-the-year-seven-pilots-earn-all-wcc-honors