OGDEN, Utah - The Big Sky released its preseason poll today and the Portland State soccer team was picked to finish third, as voted by the Big Sky Coaches. The Vikings received a first-place vote and trailed Northern Arizona and Sacramento State for first and second, respectively.
The Viks, the conference's defending regular season champion, finished last season with a 10-6-4 record overall and a 4-1-2 register in Big Sky play. It was the second-highest win total in program history and the team's first outright championship. Since joining the Big Sky in 1997, the Vikings became the only team to sweep coach of the year and the coach of the year awards. The PSU defense was the best in conference play as it only surrendered five goals in seven games.
Exceeding the expectations has been the Portland State motto under Head Coach
Laura Schott, as PSU was picked to finish fifth in 2008 and 2009, but went on to finish second and first in conference, respectively.
In 2005, Schott's first season as assistant coach, the Vikings were selected to finish first in the preseason poll. It was the the only time in school history the team was selected first and went on to finish 5-11-2.
This year's squad returns nine upperclassmen, three seniors, and 10 newcomers to roster of 28, the largest in program history. Senior
Frankie Ross returns as the team's leading scorer with three goals and assists last season. Redshirt sophomore
Amanda Dutra, the team's leader in assists last season, will feed the forwards from the midfield this year. The former Oregon 5A Player of the Year tallied five assists and a goal, en route to second team All-Big Sky honors.
In the back field, senior
Emily Rohde and junior
Tish Wise will spearhead the Vikings defense that gave up a little over a goal per game in 2009.
Among the 10 newcomers, eight of those players are freshman. The class could be called upon early in the season to play significant roles for PSU.
"I think this year's class is going to fit really well with our team," said Schott, "They bring physical and mental traits that we need, losing the class that we did last year."
The Vikings will be looking for it's first NCAA Tournament berth in 2010 and capture the Big Sky Tournament Championship. Last season, the Vikings ended the year with a 1-1 draw in the Big Sky Championship Semifinal and fell 4-3 in the subsequent shootout to Northern Arizona.
2010 Big Sky Soccer
Preseason Coaches Poll
School (First-place votes) / Points
1. Northern Arizona (6) / 48
2. Sacramento State (1) / 38
3. Portland State (1) / 36
4. Weber State / 30
5. Idaho State / 27
6. Eastern Washington / 16
7. Montana / 15
8. Northern Colorado / 14
