{"id":166876,"date":"2025-09-24T20:35:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T20:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/166876\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T20:35:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T20:35:07","slug":"pilots-mens-soccer-rises-to-no-2-in-national-coaches-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/166876\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilots men\u2019s soccer rises to No. 2 in national coaches poll"},"content":{"rendered":"

Men\u2019s soccer was ranked No. 2 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Top 25<\/a> poll on Sept. 23, their fourth straight week in the top 25. This is their highest national ranking since they were ranked No. 1 in 1992<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They were ranked No. 4 <\/a>in the previous poll before rising to No. 2 following a 3-2 victory <\/a>against Denver on Sept. 19, their seventh straight match without a loss to start the season. Their 6-0-1 record is their best through seven matches since 1988<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The team has not lost a match since Sept. 22, 2024<\/a>, creating a 17-game undefeated streak dating back to last season. This is Portland\u2019s longest streak since 1988 and is currently the second longest<\/a> in the nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The team is led in scoring by redshirt sophomore forward Joe Highfield<\/a>, who is also tied for first in the West Coast Conference (WCC) with five goals. Highfield was named WCC Offensive Player of the Week<\/a> on Sept. 22.<\/p>\n

The Pilots have dominated the conference so far, leading in 14 statistical categories<\/a> including goals, assists, goal differential \u2014 in which they also rank top 10 in the NCAA <\/a>\u2014 and save percentage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Pilots\u2019 defense has dominated, giving up only two goals so far this season. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Miguel-Angel Hernandez<\/a> earned two consecutive WCC Defensive Player of the Week<\/a> honors on Sept. 8 and Sept. 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Portland will play their first conference match at home on Sept. 27 against Gonzaga, who is currently No. 7 in the conference with a 3-3-1 record.<\/p>\n

Kaeden Souki is the Sports Editor for The Beacon, he can be reached at souki28@up.edu<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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