KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Portland Pilots defender Violet Rademacher has been named to the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Defenders to Watch List ahead of the 2026 season. She is the second Pilot on the women's side to earn the honor, with Sophia Hills making the goalkeepers list last week.
 
The watch list highlights the top defenders across the nation heading into 2026. Rademacher's stellar 2025 puts her firmly in the mix, having earned All-WCC First Team and All-West Region Second Team honors last year. Rademacher scored a team-high seven goals along with two game-winners while helping guide the Pilot defense. Portland's defense ranked second in the conference in both goals-against average (.632) and shutout percentage (.526), placing 11^th and 22^nd nationally in those respective categories. Rademacher was also Portland's first United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American since 2009.
 
The Pilots put together one of their best years in recent history in conference play in 2025, finishing with a 7-1-3 record against WCC opponents to finish tied for second in the league. Their second-place finish was the highest for the program since 2013 while their seven wins were their highest since that same year. Portland finished 10-3-6 overall for their third 10-plus win season in four years and their best winning percentage (.682) since that 2013 season as well.
 
The Pilots will host the Oregon Ducks for an exhibition on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. before opening the regular season on the road against the Washington Huskies. That match will be on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. Check PortlandPIlots.com for tickets, live stats and video options.

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