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Joe Highfield celebrates his goal against Central Arkansas.
0
Central Arkansas UCA (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
3
Winner Portland POR (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Central Arkansas UCA
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
0
Final
3
Portland POR
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Arkansas UCA 0 0 0
Portland POR 1 2 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Pilots Dominate Central Arkansas 3-0 to Open 2025 Season

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Pilots started the 2025 regular season with a bang, putting together a 3-0 win against the Central Arkansas Bears at Merlo Field.
 
Nicky Dunbar, Joe Highfield and David Ajagbe were the goalscorers for the Pilots. The win continues an unbeaten streak that dates back to last season, with the streak now at 11, and also marks their seventh straight unbeaten result in season openers dating back to 2018.
 
How it Happened
 
The first goal for Portland came in the 36th minute. Nicky Dunbar took the ball down the right wing and gained control as the Central Arkansas back line poked and prodded. Dunbar collected and struck it in low for the opener.
 
Highfield kept it rolling in the second half. In the 59th minute, Highfield took a shot that was blocked and collected quickly, catching the Bears off guard to make it 2-0 Portland.
 
The final goal came in the 67th minute from Ajagbe. Diego Rosas first put a shot on goal that the Bears. Ajagbe took advantage of the chaos and snuck up to put it away, giving Portland the final goal.
 
Game Notes
  • These are the first goals of the season for all of Dunbar, Highfield and Ajagbe. It's also the eighth goal of each player's careers.
  • This is the second season in a row Dunbar has scored in the opening match and the second year he's also scored the winning goal.
  • Ajagbe is the first Pilot to score in their debut since Samory Powder in 2023.
  • Miguel-Angel Hernandez earned the shutout and earned a save.
  • The Pilots outshot the Bears 20-1, putting 10 shots on goal.
  • The win extends Portland's unbeaten streak overall to 11 matches dating back to last season.
  • The Pilots are unbeaten in season openers dating back to 2018.
Up Next
 
The Pilots host the Lewis & Clark Pioneers on Monday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at Merlo Field. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options
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