The Portland Pilots women's soccer team is set to open its season with a high‑stakes road test, traveling to Winston‑Salem to meet the No. 5 Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, August 29 at 4 p.m. Pacific time.
Streaming and coverage
Fans can follow the action live on ACCNX, while the university’s site provides real‑time stats, video highlights and a full broadcast schedule, ensuring that every key moment is captured for viewers across the country.
Stars returning to the lineup
The Pilots bring back a core group that helped shape their 2025 campaign, including Violet Rademacher, Sophia Hills, Keeley Dockter and Hailey Bagby, all of whom earned All‑WCC honors last season. Hills anchored the defense with ten clean sheets and a goals‑against average of .595, while Rademacher contributed her first career goals earlier in the year against Utah Tech and Utah State.
Defensive pedigree
Portland’s back line remains among the nation’s best, ranking second in goals‑against average at .632 and posting a shutout rate of .526, a testament to a unit that has already logged 20 returning players and added nine fresh faces.
Coaching continuity
Head coach Michelle French, now in her eighth year, carries a career record of 71‑46‑26 and has guided the program to eight Final Four appearances and 13 West Coast Conference titles, providing a stable foundation as the team faces a top‑ranked opponent.
Legacy and outlook
The Pilots’ rich history, bolstered by alumni such as Olympic veterans Megan Rapinoe and Christine Sinclair, adds a narrative of excellence that fuels ambition. With a strong defensive record, a deep roster and a coaching staff that knows how to win, the team enters the Wake Forest matchup not just to compete but to assert its place among the elite.