PORTLAND, Ore. – The UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team begins preseason play south of the border Friday afternoon in the first of three weekend matches in Oregon, all against NCAA Division I opponents.

The 'Birds begin play at 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 10^th against the University of Portland Pilots, a perennial top program in the West Coast Conference.

Morning stroll and activation session along the river before our game against the Portland Pilots #GoBirds pic.twitter.com/b9FtEReUKp

— UBC Women's Soccer (@ubcwsoc) August 10, 2018

"Getting away early in preseason and giving the players a chance to get some games under them gives us some great evaluation opportunities heading into the 2018 Canada West season," said UBC head coach Jesse Symons who is entering his third season with the Thunderbirds.

The Pilots, meanwhile, will be looking for a good first start under new head coach Michelle French. The contest promises to be a good challenge for UBC who face the alma mater of Canadian soccer superstars Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt.



The 'Birds' Oregon trip continues Saturday when UBC faces the PAC 12's Oregon State Beavers at 7:00 p.m. OSU will see a familiar face in transfer Rachel Jones who returns to where she started her college career.

UBC finishes off the trip in Hillsboro to visit the Portland State Vikings, Monday at 1:00 p.m.