Saturday • Sept. 18 • 7:00 p.m. • Portland, Ore. (Merlo Field - 4,892)
Live Video/Audio/Stats: PortlandPilots.com
Series: UW leads 24-17-3
Last Meeting: POR 2, UW 1 - Sept. 17, 2009 @ Seattle, Wash.
This Week in Pilots Soccer...
The Portland Pilots (2-0-2) moved up another spot this week to No. 15 in the NSCAA Poll as they get ready for their annual match-up with the Washington Huskies (2-1-1). UP and UW are set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night at Merlo Field. This will mark the 45th meeting between these two northwest rivals, as well as a rematch of the first game ever played on Merlo Field back in 1990.
Celebrating 20 Years of Merlo Field
This season, the University of Portland is celebrating 20 years of playing on one of the finest pitches in the country. Built on the UP campus in 1990, Merlo Field instantly became one of the nation’s best collegiate soccer facilities. The facility has experienced several upgrades and expansion through the years and it remains one of the nation’s finest soccer environments.
Prior to Portland’s home game against Washington on Saturday, the University will welcome back members of the 1990 men’s soccer team for a pre-game ceremony. The night will mark the rematch of the first match ever played on Merlo Field, which took place on Sept. 23, 1990, when Washington defeated the Pilots 1-nil on a UP own-goal.
Tickets for Saturday’s game will be rolled back to 1990 prices.
Welcome to GameCentral... Did We Mention that it’s FREE?
New for 2010-11 is UP’s GameCentral, a free internet portal that combines free video, audio and livestats in one location, making following the Pilots easier and more accessible than ever before. All home, non-televised men’s and women’s soccer games, volleyball matches and men’s and women’s basketball games will be available through the free service, which is also available on your iPhone, iPad, or iTouch. To access GameCentral, simply visit PortlandPilots.com.
Scouting Washington
The Huskies, who are No. 10 in the NSCAA’s Far West rankings, picked up a win and a tie at the Cal State Fullerton Tournament in Fullerton, Calif., last weekend. On Friday, UW tied Cal State Northridge 0-0 before picking up a 3-1 victory over Fullerton on Sunday.
Senior MF Daniel Gray and junior F Brent Richards both lead the UW offense this season with a team-high two goals each. Senior Stephen Fung and freshman Spencer Richey have split time in goal, posting GAA’s of 0.45 and 1.00, respectively. Each has a shutout to his credit.
Head coach Dean Wurzberger is in his 19th season at the helm of the UW program. Nine letterwinners and seven starters return from a team that was 5-7-6 (2-3-5 Pac-10) in 2009.
Pilots/Huskies Series
Portland has won two straight against the Huskies and six of the last eight. Washington still claims a 24-17-3 advantage in the all-time series. Last season, Michael Nielsen and Keith Grubisich each scored in Seattle as the Pilots defeated the Huskies 2-1.
A Brief Look Back
Last weekend, the Pilots picked up a win and a draw at the 2010 New Mexico Invitational. During the tourney’s opening game on Friday, Denver came-from-behind three times to earn a 3-3 tie with the Pilots at the UNM Soccer Complex. All six goals came during the second half, with the Pilots getting goals from Connor Barbaree and Ben Hemphill. The other UP tally came on what was ruled an own goal. The Pioneers scored the equalizer in the 85th minute before the two teams played 25 minutes of scoreless soccer.
Then on Sunday, the Pilots made it two straight wins over the host New Mexico Lobos with a 2-1 victory. UP defender Ryan Kawulok scored the game winner in the 89th minute. Kawulok’s strike was one of just four shots from the Pilots, who got the equalizer from Jarad vanSchaik in the 55th minute. Freshman Steven Evans assisted on both goals. The Pilots also defeated the Lobos 2-1 last November in the first round of the NCAA playoffs in Albuquerque.
Kawulok was named the tourney’s defensive MVP, while he, vanSchaik and Evans landed on the all-tournament team. Kawulok was also named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week.
The Polls
The Pilots, who entered the season ranked in all four major national polls, moved up to No. 15 in the latest NSCAA rankings. Portland is ranked No. 16 by Soccer America, No. 18 by Soccer Times and 20th by College Soccer News. UP was No. 19 in NSCAA’s preseason poll, which was the highest of all four preseason rankings.
Here We Go...
Portland junior defender Ryan Kawulok, who scored the game-winning goal during Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 win at No. 22 New Mexico, became the first UP player this season to be named the WCC’s Player of the Week. Kawulok was also named the New Mexico Invitational’s Defensive MVP after helping the Pilots to a win and a draw in Albuquerque.
With the score tied 1-1 with less than two minutes to play against the Lobos, Kawulok put away the game-winner on a rebound, sending Portland to the win. His goal in the 89th minute was his first of the season. Both of Kawulok’s shots against New Mexico were on-goal. The native of Fort Collins, Colo., also tallied a pair of shots during Portland’s 3-3 tie with Denver on Friday.
Kawulok, senior Jarad vanSchaik and freshman Steven Evans were selected to the all-tournament team.
The Show Stopper
Senior All-Conference goalkeeper and four-year starter Austin Guerrero has picked up right where he left off last season, stifling opposing strikers. Guerrero already has one shutout this season and he came up with two clutch saves down the stretch to preserve UP’s 2-1 win over No. 30 Evansville on Sept. 5. During the 0-0 tie with Northern Illinois on Sept. 3, Guerrero made four saves for his 17th career shutout.
Guerrero, who is one of seven returning starters for the Pilots, currently ranks fourth in UP program history in career saves per game (4.06), fourth in total saves (274), sixth in shutouts and seventh in goals-against average (1.14). As a junior, Guerrero landed the All-WCC First Team after finishing second in the WCC in goals-against average (0.95), save percentage (.784) and saves (80) and third in shutouts (five). The native of Chula Vista, Calif., has earned all-league honors all three years on The Bluff, and he’s tied for the most career conference shutouts in league history, entering the season with six career blank sheets during WCC games.
Cool Hand Luke
Senior forward Ryan Luke is already making the most of his final season on The Bluff. On Sunday, Sept. 5, Luke scored both UP goals as the Pilots defeated No. 30 Evansville 2-1 to win the 2010 Nike Invitational at Merlo Field. Luke scored with a header in the first half, while his second-half goal was on a terrific finish. On a perfect feed from junior Michael Nielsen, Luke went airborne near the right post for a side-bike volley that found the far left corner of the net. In the 89th minute, the native of native of Bothell, Wash., nearly had his first career hat trick, but his shot off of a through ball from senior Vlastimir Davidovic was wide left in the 89th minute.
Luke is Portland’s top returning goal scorer after netting seven strikes last season, which ranked second on the team and in the WCC. He earned all-league honorable mention as a junior.
vanSchaik ‘n Bake
Senior midfielder and 2009 All-WCC First Team selection Jarad vanSchaik is back to help lead Portland’s attack this fall. As a junior, vanSchaik led the Pilots and finished second in the WCC with eight assists. The Tualatin, Ore., native was fourth in the league in points (20) and tied for seventh in goals (6). vanSchaik, who was named to the All-WCC Preseason Team, already has goal and one assist this season.
Family Tradition
So how many Baarts does it take to make a college soccer team go? Apparently three, as UP freshman defender Tyler Baarts joins his dad (Rob) and cousin (Justin) on the pitch this season.
Justin Baarts, a native of Surrey, B.C., is a sophomore goalkeeper in his second season with the Pilots. Assistant coach Rob Baarts, a former stand-out on the field for UP, is in his seventh year on the Pilot bench. Tyler, out of Portland’s Jesuit High School, is one of nine newcomers this season.
WCC Coaches Preseason Poll & All-Conference Teams
In a wide-open West Coast Conference, the Portland Pilots were picked to finish second, narrowly missing the top spot in the 2010 WCC Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. Seniors Austin Guerrero and Jarad vanSchaik and junior Ryan Kawulok were voted to the WCC’s Preseason All-Conference Team, giving the Pilots a league-high three selections.
World Class
Former Portland Pilot stand-out Steve Cherundolo played in his third straight World Cup for the United States this summer, starting all five games for the Americans in South Africa. Cherundolo picked up an assist for the U.S., which was eliminated by a 2-1 loss to Ghana in the round of 16. Cherundolo, who starred at UP in 1997 and 1998, has been the long-time starting right back for the Americans and he’s currently a team captain for Hannover 96 (Bundesliga), where’s he played for 11 years.
Should Cherundolo play in the 2014 World Cup, he would match UP alum Kasey Keller for most appearances in a World Cup by a Portland Pilot.
www.PortlandPilots.com/KrausBlog
Visit it, bookmark it, you won’t be disappointed. Senior defender and team co-captain Alex Kraus has volunteered his services as the Pilots’ blogger this season. Kraus will give a unique, in-depth look at the UP soccer program, while also posting photos and videos. Fans can also send questions and comments to Alex, so make sure to visit the blog all season long!
