PORTLAND, Ore. --- The University of Portland is officially celebrating the start of the 2018 men's and women's soccer seasons with a kickoff event, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 16 at West Coast Grocery Company in southeast Portland. Both the men's and women's head coaches, Nick Carlin-Voigt and Michelle French, will be present to share their thoughts on the upcoming seasons.
 
The event is open to the public and costs $10 to attend, and food and drinks will be available.
 
French, a Portland soccer alum, is in her first season at the helm of the women's program after spending the last 12 years coaching in the U.S. Soccer system, most recently as an assistant coach with the Senior Women's National Team. With the Pilots, French was an All-American defender, a four-year starter, and a finalist for National Player of the Year as a senior in 1998. She led the Pilots to three NCAA Final Four appearances as a player, including the NCAA title game in 1995. 
 
Carlin-Voigt is in his third year as head coach at Portland, and he led the Pilots to a West Coast Conference championship and to the NCAA Playoffs in 2016. Portland returns a plethora of talent this fall, including 2017 First Team All-WCC selections Benji Michel and Rey Ortiz.
 
The women first take the pitch in a friendly against the University of British Columbia on Friday, Aug. 10, at Merlo Field. The men follow two days later when they host Corban College for an exhibition match on Aug. 12.
 
2018 Portland Pilots Soccer Kickoff
Thursday, August 16, 2018
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
West Coast Grocery Company
1403 SE Stark St #1, Portland, OR 97214
 
Drink & appetizers start at 6:30 p.m.
Preseason preview begins at 7:00 p.m.
$10 entry includes appetizers and a drink
 
CLICK HERE to register for the Kickoff Event