PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Pilots men's soccer team had four student-athletes be named to the Academic All-District Team presented by College Sports Communicators: Jacob Babalai, Nick Denley, George Tasouris and Greg Tracey.
 
The teams recognize athletes who have excelled both on the field and in the classroom, with the program recognizing student-athletes at all the NCAA Division levels and the NAIA level. All student-athletes who are All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot.
 
Babalai has been solid as a striker for the Pilots this season, scoring eight goals and adding four assists on the year. Two of those goals were game-winners. He is second in the WCC in total goals. He holds a 3.53 GPA while pursuing a degree in business administration, making the dean's list, and earned honorable mention for WCC All-Academic teams.
 
Denley plays a crucial role as an outside back for the Pilots. He has one goal and three assists on the year, with his assist total being the second most of any WCC defender this season. He's also helped the Pilots earn nine shutouts on the season, including their most recent one over the Oregon State Beavers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He boasted a 3.55 GPA in undergraduate studies, making the dean's list.
 
Tasouris was the WCC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year after a stellar season between the pipes for the Pilots. He posted a WCC-best 0.967 goals against average and was credited with seven shutouts this year. He currently holds a 3.54 GPA while pursuing a master's degree in higher education and student affairs.
 
Tracey holds the best GPA on the team of the group, posting a 3.87 GPA during his undergraduate studies for a degree in marketing. Tracey played in 18 matches with 15 starts this season and has two assists on the year as well.
 
The Pilots are currently in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament after shutting out last year's No. 1 overall seed in the Oregon State Beavers. It's the first time the Pilots are in the third round since 2009 and their first time ever hosting a game past the second round. Their win over Oregon State was their eighth over a Pac-12 team since 2017.
 
Portland will now play the Western Michigan Broncos. The two teams play on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for tickets, live stats and video options.