Pilots plan to return stronger

At least sevenstarters will returnfor 2008 title run

By steve brandon

The Portland Tribune, Dec 4, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

DAVIS

Star midfielder Angie Woznuk is among five senior starters leaving the University of Portland soccer program, but she plans to return to Merlo Field next season.

“I’m really excited to come back and watch. I think they’ll do great,” Woznuk says.

No. 1-ranked UCLA turned the lights out on the Pilots’ NCAA championship bid in last week’s quarterfinals. The Bruins beat No. 2 UP 3-2 in overtime.

But with four freshmen among seven returning starters (not including injured Megan and Rachael Rapinoe), “the future looks bright,” Portland coach Garrett Smith says.

The Pilots, who finished 18-4, also expect to announce a strong recruiting class in February.

“We’re reloading,” Smith says. “All the top teams do across the country.”

Goalkeeper Kelsey Davis and forward Michelle Enyeart will be juniors. The Rapinoes are expected to apply for hardship years. Megan would return as a junior, Rachael as a senior. Those four players would be expected to lead, much as Woznuk and seniors such as Stephanie Lopez and Natalie Budge did this season.

Davis was fantastic in the quarterfinal at Drake Stadium. She made 11 saves with acrobatic and athletic efforts that enabled Portland to come within six minutes of penalty kicks.

“Next season, we have a great incoming freshman class,” Davis says. “I’ll be excited about it, but right now I’m a little bit sad.”

Davis, a native of Thousand Oaks, Calif., transferred from UCLA last year. She was in goal at UCLA in September, finishing that game with a concussion as the Bruins won 2-1 in OT.

“This time, it felt more like home for me; the emotions had settled down,” Davis says. “It was a great game, a great fight. I think it should have been a national championship.”

Davis started 17 games and allowed 0.49 goals per outing.

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