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David Ajagbe juggles a ball to control it.

Men's Soccer

No. 4 Pilots Host Denver Pioneers This Friday

PORTLAND, Ore. – In a matchup between two teams who have been at the peak of college soccer, the No. 4 Portland Pilots host the Denver Pioneers this Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
 
The match is a 503 game for men's soccer, meaning $5 tickets (online purchase only), free parking and $3 hot dogs. Check PortlandPilots.com/503 for the deal and visit PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options as well.

MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Denver Pioneers (4-3-0, 0-0-0 Summit)
Day: Friday
Date: Sept. 19, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Place: Portland, Ore.
Pitch: Merlo Field
Video: ESPN+
Stats: PortlandPilots.com
 
POR vs. DEN
Overall Series: 2-5-4
H: 1-3-1 • A: 0-2-2 • N: 1-0-1
Last: POR 0, @DEN 0 (2024)
 
PEEK INTO THE PORT
  • The fourth-ranked Pilots are 5-0-1 on the season after a hard-earned road draw against the then-24th ranked Saint Louis Billikens. The Billikens now sit at seventh in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll.
  • Miguel-Angel Hernandez earned his fifth straight clean sheet while posting a season-high three saves. His performance earned him WCC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight week.
  • The win helped propel the Pilots to fourth in the nation this past week in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, their highest ranking since climbing to as high as third in 2023. The Pilots have ranked in the top 10 nationally three of the past four seasons as well.
  • The Pilots have now posted six straight clean sheets to start the season, a first for the program. Portland is also one of just three teams in the country to have not allowed a goal this season.
  • The Pilots lead the WCC in 13 different statistical categories, including goals (18), assists (21), points (57), goals per game (3.00), assists per game (3.50), points per game (9.50), save percentage (1.000), goals-against average (0.000) and goal differential (18).
  • Nationally, they are in the top 10 or better in 12 of those 13 categories.
  • Nine different Pilots have scored to start the season, with Joe Highfield's four goals and three assists leading the way.
  • Highfield's the second Pilot in three years to post four goals through the first six games. He is currently leading the WCC in points (11) and is 19th nationally.
  • Diego Rosas ranks 14th nationally and first in the conference in assists at four total.
  • Miguel-Angel Hernandez is one of just three goalkeepers to have not allowed a goal in NCAA Division I this season.
  • Portland's 5-0-1 record is their best start to the season since 2018.
  • The Pilots hold a 16-game unbeaten streak that stretches back to last season. It is the longest unbeaten streak for the Pilots since the 1988 season.
  • This year, they were picked to finish third in the 2025 West Coast Conference Preseason Poll, with forward Joe Highfield and midfielder Efetobo Aror each making the preseason team.
  • Highfield was the first Pilot to make the All-WCC First Team and the All-WCC Freshman Team in the same season since Benji Michel in 2016, scoring seven goals and adding three assists. His four goals and three assists against WCC opponents were the second most in the conference.
  • Aror was drafted in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft this past year by the Colorado Rapids but chose to return. The WCC Freshman of the Year in 2023, he played in 10 matches with six starts, recording a goal and assist.
  • Aror, along with Pilot newcomer David Ajagbe, was also named to the TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 players in the preseason, slotting in at 52nd. Ajagbe ranks 99th on the list.
  • Ajagbe scored seven goals and added two assists with the Ohio State Buckeyes last season, who earned the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last year. Ajagbe made the All-Big Ten Freshman team and the TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI Second Team.
  • Last season, the Pilots were a dynamic offensive team, ranking second in the WCC in goals per game (1.78), total assists (44), total points (108), points per game (6.00) and assists per game (2.44). Their 2.44 assists per game ranked ninth nationally while their assist total ranked 14th.
  • The Pilots also were in the top 50 nationally in points per game, (21st), total points (27th), goals per game (44th) and total goals (32, 46th).
  • The Pilots return 16 players from last year's roster while welcoming 16 newcomers. The incoming class ranks fifth nationally on TopDrawerSoccer.
  • Of the 16 returners, Portland returns three players who earned All-WCC honors: Highfield, Miguel-Angel Hernandez (Second Team) and Diego Rosas (Honorable Mention).
  • Hernandez played in seven matches last year, posting shutouts in three of those matches. 
  • Rosas led the Pilots in assists in his second season with the Pilots, posting eight assists. He was the third Pilot since 2017 to post at least three assists in a game, doing so against the LMU Lions.
  • Nick Carlin-Voigt enters his 10th year as head coach of the Pilots. He has posted a 95-46-22 record during his tenure, having led Portland to the NCAA Tournament five times during that span.
  • Carlin-Voigt was at the helm when the Pilots advanced to the Elite Eight in 2022, their first appearance that deep in the tournament since 1995.
ABOUT THE PIONEERS
  • The Denver Pioneers are 4-3-0 to start the season Most recently defeating the Mercer Bears 2-1 at home.
  • Last season, the Pioneers went 15-3-5 and 7-1 in the Summit League, winning the Summit League Regular Season title and advancing to the College Cup in the NCAA Tournament. They lost to the Vermont Catamounts – the eventual national champions from last season – in penalty kicks.
  • The Pilots and Pioneers clashed last season in Denver, with the Pilots playing the then-No. 3 Pioneers to a 0-0 tie. At the time, it was their first unbeaten result against a team ranked third or better since 2006.
  • Miguel-Angel Hernandez  shined in the match, becoming the third goalkeeper since 2010 for the Pilots since 2010 to record at least 10 saves in a match.
  • Denver was ranked fourth in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 preseason poll to start the year and were picked as the Summit League preseason favorites in the annual coaches poll. Centerback Trevor Wright and forward Bryce Wiloughby were named to the Summit League Preseason Watch List.
  • Wright played 2,090 minutes for the Pioneers last season, making the Summit League Second Team. He's played every minute of every match this season.
  • Willoughby also earned Second Team honors after scoring five goals with three assists in 22 matches for Denver. He has a goal and assist through seven games this season.
  • Denver is led by head coach Jamie Franks, who enters his 11th season as head coach of the Pioneers. He's posted a 128-42-33 record in his head coaching career at Denver. 
Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure your spot now for any upcoming Portland Pilots ticketed home event by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or by downloading the Portland Pilots App.  For group and fan experience package information, email pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.

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