Inside the Rankings: Portland Women’s Soccer
If you’ve heard of the University of Portland, it’s probably because of their women’s soccer team. Out of 3,259 students enrolled at the school, the 21 women who take the pitch each fall put Portland on the map.
By far Portland’s most successful athletic team, the women’s soccer squad smashes small-school stereotypes by dominating larger foes on their way to making serious post-season noise. The Pilots consistently kick their way into the late rounds of the College Cup; and they have returned home as national champions eight times since 1994. Few small schools can compete, let alone dominate at this elite level.
In addition to the program’s effective coaches and incredible talent—several Portland alumnae have gone on to represent Canada and the U.S. in World Cups and Olympics—a tight-knit community powers the Pilots’ excellence. All of the players pitch in to host a team blog, which keeps fans and followers informed about their achievements on the pitch and teambuilding activities off of it. Whether the players were hunting for Halloween pumpkins or breaking down a weekend sweep, their blog entries consistently highlight the family-like environment they enjoy in Portland.
Check out the rest of STACK’s school rankings:

Football	Softball	Men’s Swimming	Men’s Cross Country
Volleyball	Women’s Track	Women’s Swimming	Men’s Golf
Men’s Basketball	Men’s Track	Hockey	Women’s Golf
Women’s Basketball	Men’s Soccer	Wrestling	Men’s Tennis
Baseball	Lacrosse	Women’s Cross Country	Women’s Tennis