Long recognized as a mainstay on the national collegiate soccer map, Portland returned to the list of elite teams in 1999, riding the scoring exploits of freshmen forwards Conor Casey and Kelly Gray. Behind those two and a solid defense, the Pilots compiled a 12-5-2 record and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 1995. A first-round 3-2 loss to Washington ended Portland's season, but that loss only gave the young Pilots a taste of what could happen in 2000.

The Pilots lost just two starters (both to graduation), and return 16 letterwinners - 15 of whom started at least one game in 1999. It's easy to highlight Casey and Gray, but the other seven returning starters form a nucleus which will be tough to crack for the nine talented newcomers. With an upper class of six seniors and five juniors, coupled with seven sophomores - three of whom started in 1999 - the Pilots are bigger, faster, stronger, a year older, and more experienced.

"There's no question we had a team last year that was determined to end a three-year string without qualifying for the postseason," said Portland head coach Clive Charles. "Our seniors would have been the first class in many years who wouldn't have played in the playoffs."

"This year, we have a team that is experienced a taste of success, and they're hungry to play in December. Our game starts with defense and ball control - we've got the ingredients for another successful season." At the forefront of the attack is possibly the best forward combination in the country - sophomores Conor Casey and Kelly Gray.

Casey burst onto the national scene with a flourish last fall, finishing the season with a nation-leading 23 goals, with seven assists for 53 points, a total which ranked second on Portland's all-time single-season scoring list. Among Casey's post-season honors were Portland's Male Athlete of the Year, West Coast Conference co-MVP and Freshman of the Year, Soccer America magazine Freshman of the Year, College Soccer Online first-team all-American, adidas/NSCAA second-team all-American, and first-team all-WCC. Possibly the highlight to Casey's 1999 season was a five-goal outburst at Gonzaga, setting new Portland and WCC records. Casey continued to hone his skills in the off-season, playing a key role on the United States' U-23 Olympic qualifying team.

Gray didn't win nearly as many awards as his heralded running mate, but was one of just four Pilots to start all 19 games last season. He was second to Casey with 32 total points, including 14 goals and four assists. A second-team all-WCC pick, Gray started his career with goals in six of his first eight games. His play wasn't overshadowed by Casey, as evidenced by all-tournament awards at the Washington and Rutgers tourneys. Gray's 14 goals tied for ninth on Portland's season list.

Curtis Spiteri, a third freshman standout in 1999, posted a 1.22 goals against average for Portland in goal. An all-WCC honorable mention pick, Spiteri started all 19 games for Portland, and was Defensive MVP of the Rutgers tourney after earning all-tourney honors at Washington. He had six solo shutouts, and shared two more. Spiteri made a career-high eight saves against Washington in the NCAA playoffs, but his season highlight was easily the assist he collected against Loyola Marymount. Collecting a loose ball in the box, Spiteri quickly punted a deep ball to a streaking Sheldin Maistry, who ran onto the ball and beat the LMU keeper.

Casey Barber was an unexpected surprise last season for the Pilots, tying for third on the team with 12 points (3g-6a), and earned an all-WCC honorable mention award. He had a goal and assist against Marquette, and later had a goal and two assists at George Mason, earning all-tourney honors there. He tied for sixth in the WCC for assists. Garrett Marcum tied Barber with 12 points (3g-6a), though he missed two games to injury. He hit the game-winner and added an assist vs. Rutgers, had two assists against George Mason, and scored a goal vs. Washington in the NCAA playoffs.

"We ask a lot out of our wide midfielders, and Casey and Garrett do a fine job of playing complete soccer," noted Charles. "Defensively, we're solid with Alexander, Lund and McNeil."

Matt Domingo was as steady as they come in midfield for the Pilots, earning his second straight second-team all-WCC plaque. He started and played in 15 games, and had an assist at Washington. Domingo's play earned him an all-tourney award at the Rutgers tourney. Ben Leedy joined Domingo in the midfield, and was Portland's first substitution off the bench. Leedy attempted just one shot in 1999, but played in all 19 games with one start.

Miguel Luna made four starts in 14 games, scoring one goal with three assists. All three assists came in the season's first game, and he scored his only goal against Cal Poly. Brandon McNeil was a defensive anchor for the Pilots, starting all 19 games. From his left back slot, McNeil scored one goal and had five assists, including three against Evansville.

Jeff Alexander was the fourth Pilot to start all 19 games, scoring two goals with one assist. The Outstanding Defensive Player in Portland's tourney, and all-tourney at George Mason. He scored against GMU and Washington, and had an assist against Evansville. Justin Franklin played in nine games as a defensive replacement and didn't attempt a shot. Brandon Henley played in six games with one start, but also didn't attempt a shot on goal.

Matt Lund started 16 games, missing three games due to injury, and attempted one shot. Sheldin Maistry made one start in 14 games, and tied for fifth on the team with seven points (2g-3a). He scored his first career goal against Marquette for a game-winner, and later had a goal and assist against Loyola Marymount.

Josh Robbins played in 13 games with three starts, collecting a pair of assists against Evansville. Isaac Vanderburg played in 11 games with nine starts and attempted two shots. Tanner Ralls redshirted the 1999 season due to injury.

Portland's 2000 newcomers include a quartet of Oregon natives, four Californians and one New Mexico prep. Two-time Parade all-America and Oregon 4A Player of the Year Nate Jaqua is the marquee recruit, and after scoring 51 goals in his final two years of high school at South Eugene High School, is expected to push Casey and Gray for playing time up front. At 6-4, he'll be an imposing target in front of the opposing goal.

"In Nate Jaqua and Cody Hagler, we got two of the best strikers in the country coming to the University of Portland," Charles said of his star recruits. "They'll be pushing Conor Casey and Kelly Gray, our two national team forwards, for playing time next fall."

Cody Hagler, out of Canby High School outside of Portland, was a three-time Oregon 4A first-team forward and three-team league Player of the Year. Matt Domingo's younger brothers, twins John and Ryan Domingo, are defenders who anchored prep teams which went 45-0-5 in their final two seasons. John was a three-time WCAL first-teamer, while Ryan earned two WCAL first-team awards.

Garth Legasse was a second-team all-state goalie in New Mexico, leading his team to a 21-1-0 record in his senior season. Legasse had an 0.84 GAA with seven shutouts and 135 saves. Max Leinbach was a two-time Oregon 4A all-stater at South Eugene HS, and made a tour of Argentina in 1999 with Region IV.

Jay Paul Lowry was all-CIF and San Andreas all-league for Pacific High School in San Bernardino. Kyle Tanner was a two-time CCC Northern California first-team pick, leading his team to four league championships. Jarrod Weis comes to Portland out of Hillsboro's Glencoe High School, where he was a first-team Oregon 4A forward as a senior.

"This class is the biggest local class we've had at Portland in a long time. That says a lot for youth soccer in the state of Oregon." The Domingo boys and Leinbach are Region IV pool defenders, and Weis and Leinbach are talented players who will enhance our program," added Charles.

Portland's march to the postseason begins on the road at two-time defending national champion Indiana for the adidas Indiana Classic, where the Pilots will also face Butler. The Pilots' annually grueling schedule also included road games at Oregon State, the Washington tournament (CS-Fullerton and Rhode Island), then a trek to Florida to face Florida International and Central Florida. WCC road games at San Diego, LMU and Saint Mary's are sandwiched around a trip to UCLA.

The Pilot home schedule includes an Oct. 15 date with Santa Clara, as well as Cal Poly, a rematch with Washington, and matchups with Gonzaga and San Francisco.