Pilot's 2009 Recruiting Class Ranked 3rd in WCC

No. 3: PORTLAND

The Portland Pilots are probably least in need of a strong recruiting class after running through the conference and nearly making the Final Four of the Women's College Cup a year ago.

Although, that logic never stops powerhouses from reloading and dominating all over again each season. Portland is getting arguably the best defensive player in the country in Cloee Colohan.

Colohan, of Black Diamond SC, has size, athleticism and awareness and can control a game from the center back position.

http://topdrawersoccer.com/component/option,com_topdrawer/Itemid,260/nid,8290/

Isn't the ranking lower since we have less scholarships available?

No. 3 in the WCC? This is a reminder to stay confident without getting cocky.

I'll take Coach Smith's recruiting talents and assessments over some ranking any day...

Regarding our recruiting class this year, could there be another factor involved. If we look at the upcoming 2009 roster, we'll have three seniors on the team: Enyeart, Davis, and Chandhoke. Am I correct that Kendra will have another year of eligibility because of her red-shirting last year after getting injured? If I'm correct about Kendra, then DeYoung will be replacing Kelsey in the net in 2010 (no doubt getting good time this year, too), with two new keepers also coming in in 2010. The real loss will be Enyeart, with everyone else back. Given that and the Pilots' tendency towards relatively small rosters, is it possible they held back a little in recruiting this time around? Is it a way, in the recruiting wars, of assuring the very top recruits that, "If you come to Portland, we're making as much of a commitment to you as you are making to us, and you're going to play"? Other than Cloee, it would have been very hard to give any 2009 freshman a commitment that she would play in either 2009 or 2010.

OK, I won't put much weight on the recruit-ranking system. More fun to wait and see how our newcomers play and how returning players develop. I expected that by now someone would have chimed in to say, "Never underestimate Santa Clara."