Pilots reach Final 8 before losing

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The University of Portland revved up its home fans all the way to the Elite Eight before the magic of the 2025 season came to an end, Dec. 5.

Furman got a goal from 35 yards away in the 15th minute and made it stand for a 1-0 victory at Merlo Field before 4,252 fans.

The Pilots finished the season at 14-2-4.

Unseeded Washington, which needed two overtimes to beat Oregon State in the first round, ultimately won the national title in overtime over North Carolina State.

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PILOTS PLAY HOST TO GRAND CANYON

With defending champion Vermont's loss last weekend, the University of Portland men's soccer team has a clear path to the NCAA Final Four that goes through Merlo Field starting Saturday night.

The Pilots play host to Grand Canyon at 7 p.m. with a win leading to a home game in the quarterfinals since the team would be the highest remaining seed in its quarter of the NCAA field.

This is where the Pilots have played to in a season that saw the program ranked No. 1 for the first time, and earn the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament - one spot ahead of West Coast Conference rival San Diego, which won the conference title.

It is only the second time the program is playing host to a game in the round of 16.

Portland (13-1-4) won its opening playoff game over Denver in a penalty-kick shootout Sunday afternoon, which led to its game with Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon (14-3-5), which is unseeded, beat UCLA in a PK shootout to reach its game at San Diego and then beat the Toreros 2-1 Sunday.

In the other Sweet 16 game in the UP quarter of the 48-team playoff bracket, No. 16 Furman plays host to Hofstra, which beat No. 1 Vermont 3-2 Sunday.

A Portland win Saturday would earn a home game Dec. 5 or 6 regardless of the outcome of the other Sweet 16 game.

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