PORTLAND, Ore. – For the first time since 2016, the second time under head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt and the seventh time in program history, the Portland Pilots are regular season champs, having taken down the Santa Clara Broncos 5-2 to claim the crown. Portland will now host the inaugural 2026 WCC Tournament, running from Nov. 11-14. The win puts Portland at 9-3-2 overall and 6-0-0 in WCC play.
Diego Rosas made history on Saturday as well, breaking Portland's all-time record for assists in a career after tallying two assists on Saturday. Rosas has 37 now for his career, the most of any active player in NCAA Division I as well. Joe Highfield and Alex Waggoner each posted braces on the day while Anton Hjalmarsson also added a goal. Highfield has eight goals on the year, Waggoner has six and Hjalmarsson has two. Highfield and Waggoner both added assists along with Nikos Clarke-Tosczak, Isaac Emojong, David Ajagbe, Ethan Zamora and Christian Mendoza.
Portland's win streak now stands at eight matches, the longest for the Pilots since 1995. Portland's six straight wins in WCC play is also the best record through the first six WCC matches in program history, as well as their 25 goals and plus-17 goal differential.
How it Happened
Portland opened the scoring in the 16
th minute. Rosas set up for the free kick and played it to Highfield. Highfield's through ball found the tip of Waggoner's foot, who put it away for the score. The Pilots led 1-0 early.
Not long after, Highfield, made it 2-0. In the 19
th minute, Clarke-Tosczak played it deep into the box to Waggoner. With Highfield trailing behind, Waggoner played it back to the man from Minnesota. Highfield launched it, giving the 'keeper no chance. Portland led 2-0 with Highfield's first goal.
Santa Clara got on the board with a goal in the 22
nd minute, but Portland soon regained their two-goal lead on the goal that made Rosas Portland's all-time leader in assists. Mendoza pushed it up the left side to Rosas, who sent it across the field and into the box to Hjalmarsson. The Swede headed it in for the goal in the 40
th minute, just before the half.
The Broncos scored quickly in the 46
th minute right out of the half. But the Pilots got back that goal in the 65
th minute. Emojong set up for the corner kick and sailed it into the box. Highfield once again was ready, knocking it in for the goal. Waggoner closed the scoring in the 78
th minute, taking Ajagbe's pass, dribbling around the box and rolling it into the back of the net. The Pilots won 5-2, clinching the championship.
Game Notes
- This is Portland's seventh WCC regular season title, their first since 2016 and their second under head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt.
- Rosas set the program record for assists in a career, now sitting at 37. He breaks Joe Leonetti's all-time mark.
- Rosas is one of just seven players since 1998 to have at least 37 assists for their career.
- Highfield and Waggoner both posted braces and Hjalmarsson also added a goal. Highfield and Waggoner both have two braces on the year.
- Highfield has eight goals now on the year, Waggoner has six and Hjalmarsson has two.
- Highfield is the first Pilot to score at least 25 points in back-to-back seasons since Nate Jaqua.
- Rosas had two assists on the day while Highfield, Waggoner, Clarke-Tosczak, Emojong, Ajagbe, Mendoza and Zamora all had one.
- Rosas is the first Pilot to 10 assists on the year. He's the first Pilot to post back-to-back seasons of 10 assists or more since Scott Benedetti (1987-88).
- Emojong's eight assists on the year are the most by a Pilot in their first year with the team since Andrew Gregor had eight in 1994.
- Portland's eight-game winning streak is their longest since 1992.
- Portland's 25 goals and plus-17 goals differential through six games are both program records. Portland's 25 goals are the most the Pilots have scored in WCC play alone ever.
- This is the first time Portland has ever gone 6-0-0 in WCC play.
- The Pilots have scored at least five goals in three conference games for the first time since 1992 and the first time throughout the regular season since 1995.
- Tonight was senior night for the Pilots, with 12 student-athletes being honored: Highfield, Waggoner, Clarke-Tosczak, Rosas, Zamora, Hjalmarsson, Efetobo Aror, Nicky Dunbar, Tristan Flores, Mark Hyan, Angel Martinez and Miguel-Angel Hernandez.
Portland Head Coach Nick Carlin-Voigt on the win:
"I'm incredibly proud of this group and our program. Winning a WCC regular season championship takes consistency, resilience and a willingness to put the team first. We always talk about what can be accomplished when the team is the star, and that culture was on full display last night. Our players are at the heart of everything we do, and I couldn't be prouder of how much they've grown and improved. They've earned this moment together, and to celebrate it at Merlo Field was truly special. This championship also belongs to our coaching staff, alumni, administration and the Portland soccer community who give so much to this program."
Up Next
The Pilots are back in action next week with a showdown against the Pacific Tigers. The two teams play in Stockton on Halloween, with kickoff at 7 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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