PORTLAND, Ore. – The Pacific women's soccer team made program history Friday evening, earning its first-ever point on the road against Portland after battling the Pilots to a 1-1 draw at Merlo Field.
Senior
Kaya Rosa supplied the offense for the Tigers (1-9-1, 0-1-1 WCC), finding the back of the net in the 19th minute for her team-leading fifth goal of the 2026 campaign. Pacific carried the advantage deep into the second half before the Pilots (4-6-1, 0-1-1 WCC) equalized in the 85th minute, but the Tigers stood firm over the closing minutes to secure the historic result.
Rosa continued her impressive senior campaign by converting Pacific's first scoring opportunity of the contest. Freshman
Julie Valdez and sophomore
Janelli Villagran combined to set up Rosa, who finished the sequence to give Pacific an early 1-0 advantage. The assists marked the first of the season for both Valdez and Villagran.
The opening goal was Rosa's fifth of the year, extending her team lead and placing her among the top five goal scorers in the West Coast Conference. Rosa has provided a consistent attacking presence throughout the season, with four of her five goals coming over Pacific's last five contests.
Playing against a Portland side picked to finish tied for second in the WCC preseason poll, Pacific relied on a disciplined defensive effort to protect the advantage. The Pilots entered halftime trailing despite producing four shots in the opening 45 minutes.
Portland increased the pressure after the break, but freshman goalkeeper
Ava Wells and the Pacific back line continued to answer. Wells turned away an attempt less than three minutes into the second half before adding saves in the 79th and 82nd minutes to keep the Pilots at bay.
The Pilots eventually broke through in the 85th minute when Hailey Bagby scored on a header to level the match at 1-1. Portland finished with a 14-5 advantage in shots, while Pacific put two attempts on target.
Freshman
Nora Cullen played a significant role in helping Pacific leave Portland with a point. Cullen logged the full 90 minutes along the back line and helped the Tigers withstand a sustained Portland attack, particularly during the closing stages. The Pilots generated multiple chances over the final dozen minutes, but Cullen and the Pacific defense remained composed after the equalizer and prevented Portland from finding a late winner. Cullen also stopped a key attack in the first half, utilizing her upper body to stonewall a shot by the Pilots.
Pacific nearly stole the match in the final moments as junior
Abigail Seawright fired the final shot of the night with 13 seconds remaining, sending her attempt just over the frame.
Friday's draw gave the Tigers their first conference point of 2026 and, more significantly, their first-ever point earned on the road against the Pilots in program history.
The Tigers will turn the page and remain on the road to continue WCC play at Santa Clara. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. from Buck Shaw Field at Stevens Stadium.
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific women's soccer, be sure to follow the team on X (
@PacificWSoccer), Instagram (
@pacificwsoccer) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (
Pacific Women's Soccer).
#PacificProud
