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Portland State University Athletics

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS
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Larry Lawson
Sophomore midfielder Cori Bianchini scored the game-winning goal for the Vikings with 3:10 left in the first overtime period Friday. The goal gave the Vikings a 2-1 win over Northern Arizona, the team's first win over the Lumberjacks since 2006.

Women's Soccer by Andy Jobanek

Bianchini's Golden Goal Leads Vikings to 2-1 Comeback Win over Northern Arizona

Box Score VIDEO OF CORI BIANCHINI'S GOLDEN GOAL

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HILLSBORO, Ore. — Sophomore midfielder Cori Bianchini scored a golden goal with 3:10 left in the first overtime period to lead the Portland State women's soccer team to a 2-1 comeback win over Northern Arizona Friday at Hillsboro Stadium, ending the Vikings' eight-match winless streak against the Lumberjacks.

The win keeps the Vikings as the lone remaining unbeaten team in the Big Sky Conference. PSU stands atop the conference at 5-0-1 in Big Sky play this season, and 8-4-2 overall. Meanwhile, Northern Arizona, which lost its first match on the road this season with Sunday's defeat, dropped to 3-2-0 in the Big Sky and 7-4-3 overall.

"The team fought hard to get the comeback win today," PSU head coach Laura Schott said. "Northern Arizona is always a good Big Sky team and they played well again today."

Northern Arizona took the lead on a penalty kick in the 18th minute and led 1-0 at the break.

Junior forward Eryn Brown knotted things with a goal in the 63rd minute, however, as she took a touch from junior midfielder Ariana Cooley after a poor clearance by the Lumberjacks defense.

Bianchini then scored in the 97th minute of the match on a short cross to the near post from sophomore forward Tamia Hasan. Hasan received the ball after a build-up on the left side of the field, and took it to just short of the left end-line before passing to Bianchini.

The goal was the third game-winning goal of the season for Bianchini, and the fourth overall.

Brown and Bianchini's goals came as part of a strong push for the Vikings after halftime. PSU outshot the Lumberjacks 11-1 after halftime, and held the Lumberjacks without a shot over the final 38 minutes of the match.

 "Our execution in the second half was very good and it made the difference," Schott said.

Sunday's win over Northern Arizona was the Vikings' first since 2006. The win was also Schott's first over NAU in her PSU career, as she had been 0-3-4 against the Lumberjacks since becoming PSU's head coach before the 2008 season.

Every senior on the PSU's roster had also not beaten Northern Arizona in their careers, giving Sunday's win, which came on PSU's senior day, added significance.

Portland State now finishes its 2013 regular season with three matches on the road over the next two weeks. The Vikings travel to face Weber State and Idaho State next weekend, then wrap up the season at Sacramento State on Oct. 25. PSU faces Weber State Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. (PT).

Match Notes: Sunday's win puts the Vikings 5-10-4 all-time against Northern Arizona…Northern Arizona's goal ended the Vikings'season-best shutout streak at 442:06…The Vikings still haven't allowed a goal that wasn't a penalty kick in a Big Sky match this season…PSU hasn't allowed a goal in the regular flow of play since giving up a goal in the 55th minute of a 1-0 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Sept. 13…Brown's goal was the seventh of the season for the forward, tying her for fifth-best single-season mark in school history...Brown's goal was also the 13th of her career, moving her into sole possesion of the fourth spot all-time in career goals scored at PSU...PSU honored Melissa Bishop, Brown, Lexi Greenwood, Ariel Snyder and Kajsa Sporseen as part of the senior day festivities before the match.
 
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