PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland State women's soccer team will begin its season this morning with two-a-days beginning at 9 a.m., and 5 p.m. today through Saturday. The defending Big Sky Regular Season Champions will start fall training camp with 28 women on the roster, currently the largest at Portland State. All practices will be held at the Peter W. Stott Community Field.

The Vikings roster could expand in the coming days also as Head Coach Laura Schott, now entering her third year at the helm, will hold an open tryout for all interested walk-ons Aug. 6.

"We're excited to get things started" said Schott, "This year's team will have both depth and talent, which will bring a tough and competitive atmosphere to practice day-in and day-out."

The squad is made up of nine upperclassmen this season, six of which are juniors on this years squad. Seniors include Rachel Jarvis, a fifth-year goalkeeper, defender Emily Rohde and forward/midfielder Frankie Ross, the team's top-returning scorer. Last year Ross was second in scoring for the Vikings with three goals and assists.

The Vikings defense remains nearly intact with three of four defenders returning to the squad. The intact backline will aid the goalkeeper position with Jarvis and sophomores Lainey Hulsizer and Kenisha Macklin vying for the open spot. The trio of keepers will fill the shoes of Cris Lewis, PSU's all-time leader in wins, saves and shutouts.

The Vikings will have 16 days to prepare for their season-opening match against crosstown-rival Portland, a team that has advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament the past four seasons. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since Sept. 23, 2007, a 7-0 loss for the Vikings to the then No. 3 Pilots.

Portland State welcomes 10 newcomers to this year's team, eight freshmen and two juniors, to aid in the Viks first bid to the NCAA Tournament. Seven of the eight new freshman are from Washington, while only Ariel Snyder (Newberg) represents the state of Oregon.

Walk-on junior Alexandra Nitsche and transfer Melissa Trammell will round out the rest of the PSU newcomers. Trammell, a native Yakima, Wash., transferred to the Park Blocks from Pepperdine, where she appeared in four matches last season and earned West Coast Conference Commissioner's "Bronze Honors."

Stay up to date with the women's soccer program at GoViks.com