PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland men's soccer midfielder Jake Arteaga earned All-WCC First Team honors for his play this season, being one of seven Pilots to earn All-WCC honors. Among the other honorees, Delentz Pierre and George Tasouris made the All-WCC Second Team, Luke Hendel, Sebastian Nava and Brian O'Hara earned honorable mention and Nava and Atem Kato made the All-WCC Freshman Team.
Few players were as good a stabilizing presence as Arteaga in the midfield this season. He started in all 15 games that he played and was key as the connector between the defense and the offense. He had one assist on the year. This is the third time Arteaga has garnered All-WCC honors; he was named to the freshman team his first year and earned honorable mention last season.
Pierre and Tasouris played critical roles within the Pilots' defense. Pierre, who made his return after dealing with a knee injury for the entirety of the spring season, played in 11 games with nine starts and immediately helped the Pilots upon his return. He most recently earned an assist in Portland's final regular season game against San Francisco. He also made the freshman team his first year.
Tasouris was crucial in goal for the Pilots. The keeper was one of the best in the conference. He ranked second in shutouts (six), total saves (58) and save percentage (.797) in the WCC and fourth in goals-against average (0.88). He twice earned WCC Player of the Week honors, making him the first Pilot since 2017 to do so multiple times in a season.
Hendel was tied for first on the team in points eight (two goals and four assists), marking the second year in a row that he has done so for the Pilots. His four assists was also tops on the team. Previously, Hendel was had earned All-WCC Second Team honors twice and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Third Team in 2019.
O'Hara served as a captain for the Pilots and was a stalwart defender along the back line. He was the only Pilot besides Tasouris to start in every game for the Pilots this year. He played a key role in all seven of Portland's shutouts this year. This is the first time he has earned All-WCC honors in his time as a Pilot.
Nava scored a team-high four goals this season, putting him in a three-way tie for first on the team in points with eight. That's the second most of any freshman in the WCC. Nava played in every match this season with 13 starts.
Kato rounds out the honorees this year for the Pilots. Kato added to the depth of the Pilots and brought critical energy off the bench. He played and 14 matches with one start this season, his best match coming against the then-No. 15 Northern Illinois Huskies. He notched a goal and an assist in that match, earning the first start of his career the following match against Santa Clara.
The Pilots are officially in the NCAA Tournament and will host an opening-round match this week against the Seattle U Redhawks. The two teams face off tomorrow at Merlo Field at 6 p.m., with the match set to be broadcast on Portland's CW (KRCW-TV). Check PortlandPilots.com as well for live stats, video and ticket options.
WCC Coach of the Year
Cameron Rast, Santa Clara
WCC Offensive Player of the Year
Noel Caliskan, LMU, Jr.
WCC Defender of the Year
Nick Dauchot, LMU, Gr.
WCC Midfielder of the Year
Noel Caliskan, LMU, Jr.
WCC Goalkeeper of the Year
Jacob Jackson, LMU, R-Jr.
WCC Freshman of the Year
Erik Centeno, Pacific
All-WCC First Team
Nonso Adimabua, San Francisco, So., F
Jake Arteaga, Portland, Sr., M
Noel Caliskan, LMU, Jr., M
Erik Centeno, Pacific, Fr., F
Nick Dauchot, LMU, Gr., D
Ryan Her, Pacific, Sr., M
Jacob Jackson, LMU, R-Jr., GK
Javier Ruiz Duran, Santa Clara, Gr., M
Yazid Omri, Pacific, Sr., M
Sebastian Schact, Saint Mary's, Sr., M
Oladayo Thomas, Santa Clara, Sr., F
All-WCC Second Team
Alejandro Barajas, Santa Clara, Gr., M
Charles Brewah, Pacific, Sr., D
Narciso Cervantes, LMU, Sr., M
Nicklas Clausen, San Diego, So., F
Joshua Dabora, Santa Clara, R-Jr., F
Demitrius Kigeya, Gonzaga, Jr., F
Frankie Ljucovic, Gonzaga, Jr., M
Riley Lynch, Saint Mary's, Fr., F
Delentz Pierre, Portland, So., D
Louis Sterobo, Saint Mary's, So., D
George Tasouris, Portland, Gr., GK
All-WCC Honorable Mention
Eric Cotton, Pacific, Sr., GK
Boyd Curry, Saint Mary's, Jr., D
Luke Hendel, Portland, Gr., M
Ross Johnstone, San Diego, So., M
Mamoru Kamisasanuki, Pacific, Sr., M
Sebastian Nava, Portland, Fr., M
Brian O'Hara, Portland, Gr., D
Juan O'Neill, Santa Clara, Sr., M
Mason Tunbridge, San Diego, Jr., M
Christian Wood, LMU, Gr., D
All-WCC Freshman Team
Erik Centeno, Pacific, F
Atem Kato, Portland, F
Caleb Kiner, Gonzaga, D
Tyrone Kirunda, Santa Clara, M
Riley Lynch, Saint Mary's, F
Jan Marpe, Saint Mary's, D
Sebastian Nava, Portland, M
Luke Pardoe, San Diego, F
Gael Quintero, Saint Mary's, M
Dominic Vegaalban, Santa Clara, F
Tobias Wangerud, San Francisco, M
