PORTLAND, Ore. – Former Portland Pilot women's soccer players Taryn Ries and Natalie Muth both signed professional deals this week, with Ries signing with Swedish side IK Uppsalla and Muth signing with SD Eibar in Spain.

Ries signs with IK Uppsalla after a stellar career on The Bluff. She scored 34 goals in Portland along with nine assists. Her 77 total points is good for 14^th all-time in program history. Her 34 goals are also good for 11^th and her 15 game-winning goals rank seventh. This past season she was second on the team in points with 11 (five goals, one assist) and earned All-WCC Honorable Mention. Prior to that, she had earned All-WCC First Team three years in a row.

"During her time here at the University of Portland, Taryn's commitment to her growth as both a player, and person, has afforded her this incredible opportunity to play overseas in Sweden," Portland head coach Michelle French said. "As a stellar student-athlete, Taryn was dedicated, tireless and more than willing to carry the team on her back in various moments throughout her collegiate career.  All of Pilot Nation has been so fortunate to watch her fly up and down Merlo field, and now she has the chance to do the same in Sweden. We are all so happy for her, and cannot wait to watch her excel once again!"

Muth, who graduated in 2020, put together a quality four years on The Bluff as well. She played in 70 of a possible 73 matches as either a holding midfielder or a defender. She earned WCC All-Academic honorable three times during her years on The Bluff. She scored four goals and had five assists in her Pilot career. Muth most recently played professionally with BIIK Kazygurt in Kazakhstan.

"Nat's post collegiate success in the field is tied directly into to her sheer determination and undeniable toughness she exhibits on a constant basis," French said. "She's the player on your team that you would hate to have to compete against.  It's so great to see her continuing to shine and dominate the field just as she did here on The Bluff during her time here."

Pilot women's soccer is back on the rise here in Portland. Last season, the Pilots went 9-8 overall and 5-4 in conference play, their best WCC finish since 2013. Four Pilots -- Ries, Nedya Sawan, Ellie Walker and Bre Norris -- earned All-WCC honors this past season, with Sawan earning All-West Region recognition as well.