Men’s soccer cruised to a 3-0 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears in their season opener Aug. 22. Portland extends their unbeaten streak to 11 matches dating back to last season, and has not lost an opening day match since 2017.
The Pilots took charge, kicking 20 shots compared to just one from Central Arkansas. Portland also committed eight more fouls than the Bears.
Central Arkansas’ defense held Portland at bay for much of the first half until the scoreless drought was broken by junior forward Nicholas Dunbar with an angled, unassisted goal at the 35-minute mark.
“It's great to start the season on a high,” Dunbar said. “The first game is super important to me – I want to come out on fire, I want to set the tone for the whole season, I want to give the fans something to be excited for in the games to come.”
Dunbar also started last season with a first-game goal.
Portland continued to persist in the second half, as sophomore forward Joe Highfield scored the team’s second goal off a rebound from his own blocked shot 14 minutes into the half.
Sophomore forward Joe Highfield celebrates a goal with junior forward Nicholas Dunbar. Photo courtesy of Portland Pilots Digital Media.
The Pilots continued to pile on, with sophomore forward David Ajagbe rolling in the team’s third goal eight minutes later off an assist from junior forward Diego Rosas – Ajagbe’s first goal as a Pilot.
“Coach Nick was [saying] that one of the main points was the ‘Merlo magic’,” Ajagbe said. “I definitely felt it today with the Villa drum squad. I'm just ecstatic, scoring on my debut is a great feeling.”
Ajagbe also notes Merlo Field’s unique atmosphere in comparison to other pitches he’s played on.
“Soccer is such a big thing in this city, so it was definitely something different,” Ajagbe said. “The fans are right there close to the pitch, so you can feel all the energy they have. It was really special.”
The team rallies together. Photo courtesy of Portland Pilots Digital Media.
Looking beyond the victory, Head Coach Nick Carlin-Voigt notices areas for improvement, like better execution on shots.
“I’m being critical, but [I’m] disappointed not to score six goals,” Carlin-Voigt said. “Finishing wasn’t clinical enough, but you’re never going to be a finished product early on. I think you saw glimpses of what we can be.”
The Pilots look to carry the momentum into their next home match against Lewis & Clark College Aug. 25.
Kaeden Souki is the Sports Editor for The Beacon. He can be reached at souki28@up.edu.
