2018 was the beginning of a new era for women's soccer on The Bluff as Portland alum Michelle French took over the reins of the storied program, and French and her staff saw immediate results as the Pilots put together a successful fall campaign.
 
In her first year as head coach, French guided the Pilots to 11 wins, which was more than double the previous year's total. The Pilots also exploded for 30 goals, nearly tripling the goal output from 2017.
 
"Reflecting on our season, there's no doubt that everyone associated with the women's soccer program is motivated to build off the momentum of our 11-win season," French said. "Throughout the season we experienced a number of little victories, both on and off the field, which we will use as a platform to continue to improve and grow as a program. We want to use the collective energy and excitement generated this season to springboard us into a successful spring and fall 2019 season."
 
The season began with two straight shutouts wins, which was a feat that hadn't been accomplished by the Pilots since 2009. During the season opener on Friday, Aug. 17, the Pilots allowed just one shot in their 2-0 win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Merlo Field. The one shot allowed was the fewest given up by the Pilots since San Diego also attempted only one shot during a game in 2015.
 
The two shutouts began a season-long theme of solid defense by the Pilots and outstanding performances by senior goalkeeper Rachel Lusby. During one stretch, the Pilots produced three straight shutouts (Sept. 16-23), going 347 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal. By the end of the year, eight of Portland's 11 wins were shutouts.
 
The weekend of Sept. 7-9 the Pilots won the 2018 Nike Portland Invitational at Merlo Field, while Larkin Russell and Natalie Muth were named the tournament's offensive and defensive MVP's, respectively. Russell, who had two assists during the 2-1 win over Utah Valley and the game-winner in the 2-0 shutout over UC Irvine, was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week following the weekend. Russell was Portland's first league player of the week since Lusby nabbed the award in September of 2016.
 
More shutouts followed for the Pilots, and after Portland recorded two clean sheets against North Dakota (Sept. 21) and Seattle (Sept. 27), Lusby was named the WCC's Player of the Week after totaling 11 saves during the two wins. She also landed Honorable Mention National Team of the Week accolades from Top Drawer Soccer.
 
Offensively, sophomore forward Taryn Ries led the way with a stellar season, scoring the most goals by a Pilot since 2009. She was among the nation's leaders offensively all season long, and she ended the year seventh in the country with 15 goals. Her six game-winners ranked ninth, she was 10th in goals per game (0.75), 18th in points (33), and 24th in points per game (1.65). She also recorded two of the three hat tricks produced by a WCC player this fall, becoming the first Pilot to score three goals twice in the same year since Danielle Foxhoven accomplished the feat in 2009.
 
Russell ended the year with eight assists, which were the most for a Pilot since 2012 when Amanda Frisbie claimed nine.
 
Lusby capped an impressive career by leading the WCC in save percentage (.794) and she was second in shutouts. She ended her collegiate career with 18 shutouts, which rank eighth in program history, and she's No. 1 all-time at UP in career saves per game (4.14). She's also third in overall career saves (240), and her career save percentage of .787 is ninth.
 
Following the season, Ries landed on the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team, and she was named to the All-WCC First Team. Sophomore center back Olivia Dendinger received all-conference second-team accolades, and junior midfielder/forward Kimberly Hazlett nabbed all-league recognition for the third straight year by earning honorable mention.