PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland women's soccer team officially launches the Michelle French era next fall when the Pilots host Northern Arizona in the season-opener at Merlo Field, which is one of 11 home games for the program in 2018. French, a UP women's soccer alum and an Athletics Hall of Fame member, is in her first year as head coach at Portland.
 
"We are excited to tackle our 2018 schedule, which will present us with numerous challenges," said French. "Leading up to our WCC schedule, we will face three conference regular season or tournament champions in Utah Valley, UC Irvine, and San Jose State. Additionally, we will compete against teams from the Big 10 and the Pac-12, who will undoubtedly help prepare us to face our opponents in the WCC."
 
After an exhibition match against British Columbia at Merlo Field on Friday, Aug. 10, French will coach her first official game when the Pilots host the NAU Lumberjacks on Friday, Aug. 17. The Lumberjacks are out of the Big Sky Conference, and this will be the first meeting between the two schools since the 2008 NCAA Playoffs. Northern Arizona has been to three NCAA's Tournaments, most recently in 2014.
 
The Pilots remain at home the following weekend when they welcome San Jose State and Washington to The Bluff. The match with the Spartans on Friday, Aug. 24, is part of Freshman Orientation Weekend, and it will be the second half of a double header with the Portland men's team. The Spartans are the reigning Mountain West Conference Champions, and they're coached by UP alum Lauren Hanson.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome home UP alum Lauren (Orlandos) Hanson when she brings the San Jose State Spartans to Merlo Field," noted French. "She has done an outstanding job turning SJSU into perennial Mountain West Conference championship contenders on a yearly basis. We look forward to competing against a very formidable Spartan team."
 
Portland and UW have a lengthy history that dates back to 1982. The match-up, which is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 26, will the 40th all-time between the Northwest rivals, with the Pilots holding a 29-8-2 edge.
 
The following weekend the Pilots make their annual trek north for the Husky/Nike Invitational, where they will play a pair of Big Ten schools, Michigan State (Aug. 30) and Wisconsin (Sept. 2). The Pilots have won two previous meetings with the Spartans, who have qualified for four NCAA Tournaments all-time. The Badgers are a regular in the NCAA playoffs, reaching the second round last fall.
 
The weekend of Sept. 7-9 brings Portland's annual Nike Invitational, which will feature Utah Valley, UC Irvine, and Washington. The Pilots open against the Wolverines on Friday night, marking the first meeting ever with Utah Valley, who play in the Western Athletic Conference. Portland will then host the Anteaters on Sunday, and both games will be preceded by the Huskies playing the other school.
 
A week later the Pilots will spend Friday night (Sept. 14) at home to host Oregon at Merlo Field, before heading to Corvallis on Sunday for a match with the Oregon State Beavers. Portland's two series with Oregon and Oregon State both date back to 1982, and the Pilots hold a combined 47-7-3 combined record against their in-state rivals
 
The Pilots then conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule with another split weekend, as a home game with Seattle U (Sept. 23) will follow a road trip to North Dakota (Sept. 21). The game with the Fighting Hawks in Grand Fork on Friday night is the first ever with the Pilots. The Redhawks have been to the NCAA Postseason three times in the past six years, and the Pilots and SU have played to three consecutive 1-1 ties.
 
The West Coast Conference begins with a visit to San Diego (Sept. 27) and BYU (Sept. 29).
 
The Pilots return to the Rose City the following weekend for home games against conference foes Saint Mary's (Oct. 5) and Pacific (Oct. 7). It's then back on the road as Portland travels to the Bay Area to play Santa Clara on Friday, Oct. 19. The Pilots and Broncos have combined for 21 WCC crowns overall, and Santa Clara reached the NCAA Third Round in 2017.
 
Portland then plays its final two regular season home games when they host Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine on Friday, Oct. 26 and Sunday Oct. 28, respectively. The Waves are the current two-time league champions, and they made it the second round of last year's playoffs. The game with Pepperdine will also be senior day for the Pilots.
 
The regular season finale is set for Saturday, Nov. 3 against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane, Wash.
 
Season tickets and flex plans are on sale now, so visit portlandpilots.com/tickets or call 503-943-GoUP (4687) to reserve your spot today.
 
UP is also offering unique "Fan Experiences" throughout the 2018 fall soccer season. The "Fan Experiences" include halftime youth games, meeting the Pilots players and coaches, creating a high-five tunnel for the Pilots, and much more. For more information on these fan experiences or to book a group and take advantage of the unique opportunities, please call or text 503-943-GoUP (4687).