Strong freshman class led by Pilot veterans have high hopes for upcoming season.
Freshman Steven Evans scores during an exhibition game against OSU last Wednesday at Merlo Field. The second-half goal was Evans’ first for the Pilots, contributing to a 3-1 victory over the Beavers. (Kevin Kadooka -- The Beacon)
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Senior Austin Guerrero sat stretching in the middle of a circle surrounded by his teammates grinning from ear to ear on Wed. Aug. 25.
But who wouldn't after opening the men's soccer season with a 3-1 win over Oregon State?
"A win in the first game of the season is huge. It sets the tone," Guerrero said.
According to Guerrero, that tone is positive and the team has a lot of confidence going into the upcoming season.
"Like every year, we have high expectations. Even though we are young, we are very deep. Everybody played tonight, and everybody played well," Guerrero said.
The Pilots have five seniors and three juniors, but Guerrero and Head Coach Bill Irwin don't see the team's lack of experience as a problem.
"We have a very strong freshman class this year. These younger guys are going to push the older guys to get better and I'm going to put the best players on the field," Irwin said.
However, Irwin said it is very important for the older players to set the standard.
"The older guys are going to lay the foundation for the young guys, which is important for them to be able to do what they need to do on the field," he said.
The Pilots aren't the only ones with high expectations.
They are ranked 2nd in the WCC just behind San Diego and 19th in the country.
Irwin said the team embraces the recent rankings and the added pressure will be positive for the team.
Although the Pilots lost Collen Warner to the MLS, the Pilots maintain offensive firepower in senior Ryan Luke and Clemson transfer junior Connor Barbaree.
It took two shots within 34 seconds to score the first two goals of the game. Barbaree and Luke scored the first two goals and freshman Steven Evans sealed the win with a third goal.
Guerrero anchors the Pilot defense. Guerrero is ranked 4th all time in saves and saves per game, according to the University of Portland athletic website.
The Pilots' next game is against Northern Illinois in the Nike Portland Tournament, which begins at Merlo Field this weekend.
The first game will feature a matchup between Washington and Evansville at 4 p.m., followed by the Pilot matchup against the Huskies.
