Jeff Griffin

SEATTLE, Wash. --- University of Portland men’s soccer players Jeff Griffin and Bryan Irwin won the United States Adult Soccer Association’s U-23 National Cup with their Oregon United Soccer Academy Under-23 team on Sunday. The OUSA Orange team defeated Lawrenceville FC (Ga.) 2-1 in the championship game at the Starfire Sports Complex.

The OUSA Orange defeated the MFC Ambassadors (Md.) 4-1 in the semifinals on Friday. Previously, the OUSA Orange won the Region IV Championship to advance to the National Cup.

Fellow Pilot Drew Chrostek played with the team through regionals, but was unable to play at the National Cup due to an injury.

Griffin, a defender/midfielder, is entering his senior campaign on The Bluff, while Irwin and Chrostek, both defenders, will be juniors this fall. The Pilots open the 2007 regular season with the Nike Invitational at Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex during Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 31 – Sept. 2).