Moline's Musings

Soccer Invades Pilot Nation

Posted by: Brian Moline

Friday, September 11, 2009 4:29 PM

The Illinois soccer team has already faced two ranked opponents in five matches this season, defeating #20 Colorado, while losing to #6 UCLA.  Another Illini opponent, Denver University (1-1 tie), is receiving votes in this week's NSCAA Top 25. 

So, when I say that this weekend looks to be the toughest the Illini will face all season, it should catch your attention.  First up is a contest against the #2 Portland Pilots at one of the toughest places to play in the country, Merlo Field.  The Pilots average close to 4,000 fans per game, and this crowd knows soccer and has a passion for the beautiful game.  Tonight's game starts at 9 pm central time.  You can follow live stats and hear a Portland radio broadcast online.

How good has Portland been so far this season?  Well, the Pilots have outscored their five opponents by a cumulative score of 16-1.  They haven't been all cupcakes either.  California is currently ranked #16 in the country, and Portland dismantled them 4-0.  Washington is receiving votes (and should be ranked in my opinion), and the Pilots shut them out 2-0.  Oregon is a solid Pac-10 team who Portland shut out 3-0, and Colorado College is a highly regarded mid-major program that the Pilots blanked 2-0.  The only goal the Pilots have allowed this season came in their last game against Ivy League member Columbia.  That one ended in a 5-1 score.

Portland has been one of the premier programs in women's soccer for many years, first under the late Clive Charles, and continued under current head coach Garrett Smith.  The Pilots have two national titles to their credit, in 2002 and 2005, and haven't won fewer than 17 games in Smith's 6+ year tenure.  To show how impressive that is, the Illinois school record for wins in a season is 16 (2003, 2004 and 2006).

Now for some good news.  The Pilots have actually been outshot this season in a game.  Washington outshot them 17-11 in their matchup in Seattle on 8/30.  They also put six shots on frame, compared to four for Portland.  Portland head coach Garrett Smith was quoted after that game as saying, “It was not one of our better performances of the year, but we got a good result."  So, the Pilots are not invincible, but they are certainly one of the very best teams in the country.  I would consider them a very small level below defending champion North Carolina, and on par with another final four team from last season, Stanford. 

When I broke down the Illini schedule earlier this summer, I predicted that tonight's game would be one of three Illini losses this season.  Based on what I've seen so far, I can't change that prediction, though I do think Illinois will put on a good show for Pilot Nation.  Look for Illinois to be the second team to score on a stout Pilot defense this season, but I think Portland will come out on top 3-1.

The key to this weekend for Illinois will be bouncing back on Sunday against a quality Washington side.  The Huskies will remember the 3-0 loss they took at the hands of the Illini last September and be looking for revenge.  I do expect Illinois to be ready on Sunday and come out on top in what should be a pretty even matchup.

You can link to live stats for both of this weekend's matches through fightingillini.com, and there will be a radio broadcast of tonight's Portland match available at portlandpilots.com.  I'll be listening tonight, and I hope you are, too.  Thanks for reading.

bmoline@wdws.com

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