PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- It’s safe to say not many people outside of the Portland Pilots men’s soccer program saw the team coming this season.

In the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 preseason poll, the Pilots not only didn’t make the top 25 — they had zero votes.

“I would’ve laughed, honestly,” said senior captain Sebastian Hernandez on his reaction if someone had told him preseason that his squad would be ranked #1 in October. “I wouldn’t have expected it, to be honest.”

The expectations for the Pilots have certainly skyrocketed from there.

Not only are they the top-ranked team in the country, but they’re also receiving all eight first-place votes.

The jump from second last week to first this week came after the Pilots defeated Gonzaga 3-0 and then #1 team, NC State, tied with Pitt.

“I

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