Big Sky Tournament Notes (PDF)

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State women's soccer team (9-5-4, 6-2-2 Big Sky) opens play at the Big Sky Tournament in the semifinals Friday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. (MT) in Missoula, Mont.
 
The Vikings will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between third-seeded Northern Arizona and sixth-seeded Eastern Washington, which will be played Thursday.
 
If the Vikings can win their semifinal match, then they'll advance to the championship match Sunday, Nov. 9, at 12 p.m. (MT).
 
BIG SKY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Nov. 6
Quarterfinal #1 – 11 a.m. (MT) – No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed
Quarterfinal #2 – 2 p.m. (MT) – No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed
 
Friday, Nov. 7
Semifinal #1 – 11 a.m. (MT) – Winner of Quarterfinal #1 vs. No. 2 seed
Semifinal #2 – 2 p.m. (MT) – Winner of Quarterfinal #2 vs. No. 1 Montana
 
Sunday, Nov. 9
Championship – 12 p.m. (MT) – Winner of Semifinal #1 vs. Winner of Semifinal #2
 
LIVE STATS:
The University of Montana will provide live stats for all matches at the Big Sky Tournament this weekend. Links to live stats for all matches at the tournament can be found on Montana's women's soccer schedule page.
 
LIVE VIDEO:
Live video will also be available for all matches at the Big Sky Tournament. Video can be found on the Big Sky Tournament headquarters page here.
 
SCOUTING NO. 6 EASTERN WASHINGTON:
The Eastern Washington Eagles (8-8-0, 5-5-0 Big Sky) earned the sixth seed in the Big Sky Tournament after finishing the regular season on a hot streak. Eastern Washington was on the outside looking in at the tournament field in the middle of October, but moved up with a road sweep of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona – their opponent Thursday – on Oct. 17 and 19, respectively. The Eagles then clinched their first berth into the Big Sky Tournament since 2009 with a 1-0 road win versus North Dakota on Oct. 26. The Vikings, meanwhile, beat the Eagles 3-1 in their regular-season match against each other on Oct. 3 at Hillsboro Stadium. Sophomore midfielder Abbey Bergquist scored on a penalty kick in the 10th minute to put the Vikings up early against the Eagles, while senior midfielder Ariana Cooley followed with a goal in the 20th minute that put the Vikings up 2-0. Eastern Washington pulled a goal back in the 27th minute, but junior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini put the Vikings back up by two with a goal in the 50th minute. Overall this season, the Eagles have been a pretty balanced team, ranking tied for fifth in the Big Sky in goals scored (25), as well as fourth in the conference in goals allowed (19). The Eagles have not allowed more than two goals in a match since their loss to the Vikings, a run of seven straight matches that includes three shutout wins. Individually, freshman midfielder Chloe Williams, an All-Big Sky first-team selection, has led the Eagles offensively this season with six goals and 16 points (6g, 4a). Five of Williams' goals came in conference play, though three of those five came in the Eagles' first three matches of their Big Sky schedule. Besides Williams, senior forward Cassie Black, an All-Big Sky second-team selection, ranks tied for second on the team with five goals this season, and ranks tied for third in the Big Sky with five assists. Additionally, freshman forward Savannah Hoekstra, an All-Big Sky honorable mention this season, has scored five goals and recorded three assists for the Eagles this season. Additionally, senior defender Katie Cashman earned All-Big Sky second-team honors Tuesday, while senior defender Kayla Sutter was named an All-Big Sky honorable mention.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES WITH EASTERN WASHINGTON:
The Vikings have their best record against the Eagles among Big Sky teams, as they are 14-4-1 all-time against them after their win in October. This season's win was also the Vikings' fifth straight against the Eagles, while the Vikings also extended their unbeaten streak over the Eagles to seven matches. The Vikings have never faced Eastern Washington in the Big Sky Tournament.
 
SCOUTING NO. 3 NORTHERN ARIZONA:
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (9-5-4, 5-2-3 Big Sky) earned the No. 3 seed with two straight wins over Idaho State and Southern Utah to finish the regular season. The Lumberjacks hold a 2-1-2 record against the five other Big Sky Tournament teams, including draws with No. 1-seeded Montana and No. 2-seeded Portland State. The Lumberjacks and Vikings drew 1-1 in both team's Big Sky opener on Sept. 26. Northern Arizona went up 1-0 with a goal in the 13th minute, but the Vikings came back with a goal from junior forward Tamia Hasan in the 25th minute. Overall this season, the Lumberjacks have been a very similar team to the Vikings in that they have won a lot of low-scoring matches. Three of the Lumberjacks' five Big Sky wins this season came by 1-0 scores, just as three of the Vikings' six Big Sky wins have come by the same score. The Lumberjacks and Vikings have also scored a similar amount of goals (21 NAU, 20 PSU) this season, and have allowed a similar amount of goals (15 NAU, 16 PSU). Individually, junior forward Haley Wingender, an All-Big Sky first-team selection, has led the Lumberjacks offensively, as she has scored 10 of the team's 21 goals this season, including five of the team's 11 goals in Big Sky play. Wingender's 10 goals this season rank her second in the Big Sky, while her 23 points (10g, 3a) also rank her second in the conference. Besides Wingender, freshman forward Adrian Nixt, an All-Big Sky honorable mention this season, ranks second on the team with four goals and three assists this season. Senior defender Sarah Tarver also earned All-Big Sky first-team honors, while junior midfielder Cierra Gamble made the all-conference second team. Additionally, four players earned All-Big Sky honorable-mention honors in addition to Nixt, with goalkeeper Natalie Gilbertson, defenders Diane Buzzard and Ashlynn Curnow, and midfieldler Savannah Berry all earning the honor. Gilbertson has had a standout conference season for the Lumberjacks, as she ranks second in the Big Sky in goals-against average (0.55) during the conference season, while also ranking second in save percentage (.898) and shutouts (5).
 
ALL-TIME SERIES WITH NORTHERN ARIZONA:
The Lumberjacks have the best record against the Vikings of any Big Sky team, as they lead the all-time series against the Vikings 10-5-5. The Lumberjacks have had the upper hand in their matches against the Vikings in the Big Sky Tournament, too, as the Lumberjacks eliminated the Vikings in the semifinals in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009. Northern Arizona beat Portland State 1-0 in the semifinals in 2008, then eliminated the Vikings in penalty kicks in the semifinals in 2009. More recently, the Vikings snapped an eight-match winless streak against Northern Arizona with a 2-1, overtime win last season, though the teams have finished tied in three of their past four matches against each other, including this season.
 
POTENTIAL OPPONENTS IN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
If the Vikings can beat Northern Arizona or Eastern Washington in the semifinals, then they'll face either No. 1-seeded Montana, No. 4-seeded Northern Colorado or No. 5-seeded Idaho State in the championship match Sunday. Northern Colorado and Idaho State play Thursday in the quarterfinals, with the winner advancing to play Montana in the other semifinal Friday.
 
About Montana:
Montana won the outright Big Sky regular-season championship after going unbeaten in Big Sky play at 8-0-2 this season. The Grizzlies beat the Vikings 1-0 during the regular season thanks to a 55th-minute goal from Savannah Witt. The Vikings outshot the Grizzlies 13-11 in the match, however, and had a chance to tie up the match with a penalty kick in the 59th minute. The PK clanged off the left post, though, and the Vikings couldn't make anything out of seven corners in the second half. Individually, senior defender Brooke Moody was named the Big Sky co-Defensive MVP Tuesday, while freshman forward Hallie Widner was named the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year. Moody and Widner also headlined four All-Big Sky first-team selections for the Grizzlies, with senior midfielders Tyler Adair, a unanimous selection, and Chloe Torres joining Moody and Widner on the all-conference first team. Sophomore goalkeeper Kailey Norman was also named to the All-Big Sky second team, while sophomore defender Tess Brenneman and junior forward Mackenzie Akins also made the second team.
 
About Northern Colorado:
Northern Colorado led late against the Vikings in their match on Oct. 17, but freshman forward Mackenzie Bean scored with just 4 minutes, 45 seconds remaining on the clock, leading the Vikings to a 1-1 draw with the Bears. Individually, junior defender Adrienne Jordan was named the Big Sky co-Defensive MVP Tuesday, and was the Bears' lone All-Big Sky first-team selection. Senior forward Juliana Grover was also the Bear's lone All-Big Sky second-team selection, while defender Loren Landrus was the Bears' lone All-Big Sky honorable mention.
 
About Idaho State:
Portland State beat Idaho State 1-0 on a 16th-minute goal from senior defender Kayla Henningsen. Idaho State outshot the Vikings 18-15 in the match, however, and forced PSU goalkeeper Caitlin Plese into making nine saves in the match. Idaho State also features the top offensive player in the conference in Big Sky Offensive MVP Amanda Ellsworth. Ellsworth led the Big Sky with six goals in Big Sky play, as well as 13 goals overall, a total that ranks tied for fourth all-time in a single season within the Big Sky Conference. Ellsworth was a unanimous All-Big Sky first-team selection Tuesday, but was also the only Bengals player to make the All-Big Sky first or second teams. Six players were named All-Big Sky honorable mentions, however, in defenders Vanessa Cabilan, Mikaela Carrillo and Taylor McBride; midfielders Katherine Roberts and Savannah Berry; and forward Maria Sanchez.
 
PSU'S HISTORY AT BIG SKY TOURNAMENT:
Portland State will hope to exorcise some demons at this year's edition of the Big Sky Tournament, as the Vikings are just 2-7-3 all-time in the tournament. The Vikings have been eliminated on penalty kicks following all three of their draws in the tournament, too, including last season's Big Sky Tournament final against Weber State, which the teams tied 0-0 before the Wildcats beat the Vikings 3-0 in penalty kicks. Last season's appearance in the championship match marked the program's first appearance in the championship since 2002, however, as the team's 2-0 win over Northern Colorado in the 2013 semifinals was only the team's second win all-time in the conference tournament.
 
All-Time Matches at the Big Sky Tournament (2-7-3)
Year    Round                    Opponent                  Result
2013   Championship           Weber State               T, 0-0 (L, 0-3 in PKs)
          Semifinals                Northern Colorado       W, 2-0
2012   Semifinals                Montana                     L, 2-3
2011   Semifinals                Weber State               T, 0-0 (L, 3-4 in PKs)
2010   Semifinals                Sacramento State       L, 1-2
2009   Semifinals                Northern Arizona         T, 1-1 (L, 3-4 in PKs)
2008   Semifinals                Northern Arizona         L, 0-1
2007   Semifinals                Sacramento State       L, 1-2
2004   Semifinals                Weber State               L, 0-2
2002   Championship           Idaho State                L, 0-1 (OT)
          Semifinals                Montana                    W, 1-0
1997   Semifinals                Montana                    L, 0-4
 
VIKINGS ENTER BIG SKY TOURNAMENT ON A HOT STREAK:
The Vikings assured themselves of entering the Big Sky Tournament as one of the hottest teams in the conference with their 2-0 win over Sacramento State last Friday, which also clinched the No. 2 seed a first-round bye at the Big Sky Tournament for the Vikings. The win over the Hornets gave the Vikings their fifth win in their past six matches, and extended their unbeaten streak to six matches. The Vikings have been performing well both offensively and defensively over their recent hot streak, as the team has shut out four of its last six opponents, and ended the season on its best two-match offensive performance of the year. The Vikings totaled five goals in their wins over Idaho and Sacramento State to end the season, with juniors Tamia Hasan and Cori Bianchini leading the way. Either Hasan or Bianchini was part of all five of the Vikings' goals in their last two wins, with Hasan recording two goals and an assist, and Bianchini recording one goal and three assists in the those two matches. The two paired up to lead the Vikings in their win over Sacramento State, too, as Hasan scored both of the Vikings' goals against the Hornets, with Bianchini assisting on each of them.
 
HASAN NAMED BIG SKY OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Junior forward Tamia Hasan's two-goal performance in the Vikings' 2-0 win over Sacramento State last Friday earned her the first Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honor in her career. Hasan scored both of her goals late in the match, scoring the first in the 83rd minute, before following it up with her second goal less than three minutes later in the 86th minute. Hasan's performance came in just her second match back from an injury that held her out of six straight matches in the middle of the conference season. Additionally, Hasan's two goals against the Hornets put her back into the team lead in goals this season with four, while Hasan also moved into a tie for the team lead in points, tying junior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini with nine points each.
 
PLESE NAMED BIG SKY GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR, EIGHT PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-BIG SKY TEAMS:
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Caitlin Plese was named the Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year for the second straight season Tuesday, as the Big Sky Conference announced its individual and all-conference team awards. In addition to being named Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year for the second straight season, Plese also made the All-Big Sky first team for the second time, along with senior defender Kayla Henningsen and junior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini. Besides those three, senior defender Kelsey Henningsen and sophomore midfielder Bianca Munoz each were named to the All-Big Sky second team, while junior defender Torie Morris, senior midfielder Ariana Cooley and junior forward Tamia Hasan were all named All-Big Sky honorable mentions. Kelsey Henningsen and Morris repeated their honors from the 2013 season, while Munoz, Cooley and Hasan all earned the first all-conference honors of their PSU careers with their selections Tuesday.
 
COOLEY NAMED TO COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT VIII FIRST TEAM FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON:
Senior midfielder Ariana Cooley became the first player in the history of the Vikings' program to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII first-team honors in back-to-back years with her selection to the first team last week. Cooley earned the honor as a 3.96 student in health studies, and as a four-time President's List honoree. Additionally, Cooley is the co-recipient of the Alice and Taylor Alexander Endowed Scholarship, as well as the PSU UG Laurels Academic Scholarship. Cooley had been just the second player to receive first-team honors when she received the award last season.
 
EARLY BIRDS AND NIGHT OWLS:
The Vikings have won on early and late goals this season, as six of the Vikings' nine game-winning goals this season have come in the first 30 minutes of play, while two of the team's other three game winners have come in the 75th minute or later. Overall, 15 of the team's 20 goals this season have either come in the first 30 minutes of play, or in the 75th minute or later this season. The Vikings have scored a total of 10 goals in the first 30 minutes of matches this season, and have had five total goals come in the 75th minute or later. Junior forward Tamia Hasan has scored both of the team's late game winners, including the game winner in the team's last match, when she scored the game-winning goal against Sacramento State in the 83rd minute. Besides that match, Hasan also scored the game winner in the Vikings' 1-0 win over Oregon, scoring a golden goal in the 93rd minute.
 
PLESE JOINS LEWIS ON TOP OF RECORD BOOKS:
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Caitlin Plese moved into a tie for the all-time lead in shutouts last Friday, as the Vikings shut out Sacramento State in their regular-season finale. Plese's shutout against the Hornets gave her 17 shutouts in career, tying her with all-time leader Cris Lewis (2006-09). Additionally, Plese has moved up to second all-time in goalkeeper wins this season, and now has 20 wins in her career after the Vikings' win over the Hornets. Plese also ranks second all-time in goals-against average (0.69) at Portland State, and currently ranks seventh all-time in career saves at 140. Plese will pass Rachel Jarvis (2006-10) for sixth all-time with three more saves, and will pass Mariah Farley (2000-01) for fifth all-time with eight more saves.
 
BIANCHINI JOINS THE ALL-TIME GREATS:
Junior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini moved into the all-time top 10 in assists with her pair of assists in the Vikings' 2-0 win over Sacramento State last Friday, and now ranks in the top 10 all-time at Portland State in goals, assists and points. Bianchini's two assists against the Hornets gave her 10 in her Portland State career, moving her into a tie for seventh all-time with Katie Miyake (2002-04) and Megan Plinski (2002-05). The two assists also gave her 30 points in her career, moving her into sole possession of ninth all-time in the category. Additionally, Bianchini moved into sole possession of eighth place all-time at Portland State with her 10th career goal earlier this season, which came in the Vikings' 3-1 win over Idaho on Oct. 26. Bianchini also stands poised to move up the single-season ranks in assists this season, as her two against Sacramento State gave her five assists this season, tying her for sixth-best single-season assist total at Portland State. Besides Bianchini, senior defender Kayla Henningsen also moved into the all-time top 10 in goals scored this season, as she recorded her ninth career goal against Weber State on Oct. 12, moving her into a tie for ninth all-time with Plinksi, Juli Edwards (2004-07) and Kala Renard (2008-11).
 
DEFENSE RETURNING TO RECORD 2013 FORM:
The Vikings have only allowed two goals over their recent six-match unbeaten streak, and have shut out four of their last six opponents. The Vikings' recent hot streak has come as the team's defense continues to regain its dominance from the 2013 season, when the team set program records for shutouts and goals-against average. The Vikings rank tied for second in the conference in goals allowed (16), while also ranking third in the conference in goals-against average (0.84) and shutouts (7). Redshirt junior goalkeeper Caitlin Plese also ranks second in the conference in goals-against average (0.77) individually, as well as tied for third in shutouts (6) and fourth in save percentage (.840).
 
SCORING FROM EVERYWHERE ON THE FIELD:
Freshman Katie Forsee and senior Angela Haluska scored the first goals of their Portland State careers in the Vikings' win over Idaho on Oct. 26, giving the Vikings 11 different goal scorers on their 20 total goals this season. Additionally, 10 different players have recorded the team's 15 assists this season, as only junior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini and senior defender Kelsey Henningsen have recorded multiple assists for the Vikings this season. Five of the team's 20 goals have also come from the team's back line players, including three from senior defender Kayla Henningsen. Bianchini ranks tied for the team lead in points with nine (2g, 5a) this season, tying her with junior forward Tamia Hasan (4g, 1a), who leads the team in goals scored with four.
 
FANTASTIC FRESHMEN:
Portland State's 10-member freshmen class has made a significant impact on the 2014 season for the Vikings. Freshman forward Mackenzie Bean ranks tied for second on the team in goals scored (3), as well as third on the team in points (7). Freshman defender Maddie Prehoda has also started 14 of the team's 18 matches this season, and recorded the game-winning goal in the Vikings' 3-0 win over Colorado State on Sept. 5. Freshman midfielder Katie Forsee also scored the game winner against Idaho on Oct. 26, her first career goal at Portland State, and has played in all 18 matches for the Vikings, starting 11. Additionally, freshman defender Dallas Malone has played in 12 of the team's matches this season.
 
RECORD BREAKERS:
The Vikings broke the Big Sky record for longest unbeaten streak at the start of the 2014 season, beating Utah Valley 1-0 in their season opener for their 14th straight match without a loss. That moved the Vikings past Weber State, which set the Big Sky record after going unbeaten over 13 straight matches during the 1998 season. The Vikings extended the streak to 16 matches with draws against Boise State and San Francisco, before their 5-0 loss to then-No. 21 California snapped it.
 
END-OF-SEASON GOAL:
The Portland State women's soccer team has a clear agenda for its 2014 season: get to the NCAA Tournament. A tournament berth would be the Vikings' first in program history, but will have to come via a Big Sky Tournament title. If the Vikings can win the Big Sky Tournament this season, it would end a series of frustrating results for the Vikings in the conference tournament. The Vikings have never won the Big Sky Tournament despite winning four of the past five Big Sky regular-season titles, and six regular-season titles overall. The Vikings made the tournament final for just the second time in program history last season, but fell 3-0 in penalty kicks after finishing tied with Weber State after regulation and two overtime periods. Overall, the Vikings are 2-7-3 in Big Sky Tournament matches.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY:
The Vikings entered the 2014 season as the three-time defending Big Sky champions after winning regular-season titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Vikings won their most recent title in their most convincing fashion yet, as they went unbeaten in the Big Sky Conference for the first time in program history. The Vikings won the Big Sky regular-season title in 2009 as well, giving them titles in four of the last five seasons. The Vikings won their first Big Sky regular-season title in 2004, the only title to have not come under current head coach Laura Schott.
 
VIKINGS TABBED AS NARROW FAVORITES IN BIG SKY PRESEASON POLL:
Big Sky coaches picked the Vikings as slight favorites over Weber State in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' poll, released earlier this month. Both teams received five first-place votes in the poll, but the Vikings finished with one more point at 93 to Weber State's 92. Besides the Vikings and Wildcats, Northern Arizona picked up the remaining first-place vote to finish third in the poll with 86 points, while Northern Colorado (69), Montana (62), Idaho State (52), Sacramento State (51), Southern Utah (32), Idaho (29), Eastern Washington (27) and North Dakota (12) rounded out the poll.
 
HENNINGSON TWINS' SWAN SONG:
Senior defenders and twin sisters Kayla and Kelsey Henningsen enter their fourth and final year within the Portland State women's soccer program this season. The Henningsen twins, prized recruits when they came into the program, have seen unprecedented success since joining the Vikings, as neither has been on a team that didn't win at least a share of the Big Sky regular-season title, while both have also earned numerous individual honors during their PSU careers. Kayla was named the Big Sky Defensive MVP last season, while both Kayla and Kelsey were named All-Big Sky honorees (Kayla: 1st team; Kelsey: 2nd team). Additionally, both Kayla and Kelsey earned CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII second-team honors last season. Watch an interview with the Henningsens on their final season at Portland State here, or on the Vikings' YouTube channel.
 
NON-CONFERENCE TESTS:
The Vikings played a tough non-conference schedule in 2014, as four of the Vikings' eight non-conference opponents finished in the top half of their respective conferences last season. The Vikings also faced two 2013 NCAA Tournament participants in Texas Tech of the Big 12 and California of the Pac-12, leaving them well-tested for the upcoming Big Sky Conference schedule. Additionally, the Vikings have faced several individual stars during the non-conference schedule, as four of their opponents have members playing some level of international youth soccer.
           
Opposing players with national team camp or playing experience:

• Madalyn Schiffel, junior goalkeeper for San Francisco – U.S. U-20 Women's National Team
• Leticia Torres, junior defender for San Francisco – Chile U-20 Women's National Team
• Jaelene Hinkle, senior defender for Texas Tech – U.S. U-23 Women's National Team
• Janine Beckie, junior forward for Texas Tech – U.S. U-20 Women's National Team
• Bri Pugh, senior defender for Oregon – U.S. U-23 Women's National Team
• Marlo Sweatman, sophomore midfielder for Oregon – Jamaica U-20 Women's National Team

             
NEWCOMERS:
The Vikings added 10 incoming freshmen during the 2014 signing period, giving the team extra depth going into the season. Of the 10 incoming freshmen, the Vikings signed two goalkeepers, one defender, five midfielders and two forwards. The 10 freshmen also come from six different states between Oregon (3), California (2), Washington (2), Colorado (1), Arizona (1) and Illinois (1).
 
THORNS FC GOALKEEPER CRIS LEWIS RETURNS TO ALMA MATER AS VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT:
Cris Lewis, the all-time leader at Portland State in shutouts, saves and goalkeeper wins, will return this season as a volunteer assistant coach. Lewis, the 2009 Big Sky Defensive MVP, will work closely with this year's crop of goalkeepers, which includes 2013 Big Sky Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Caitlin Plese. Plese ranks just six shutouts behind Lewis on the all-time list at PSU, and could pass Lewis as Lewis coaches her this season. Since leaving PSU, Lewis has played off and on with Portland Thorns FC as an amateur. Lewis started the Thorns' match against the Chicago Red Stars on June 1, 2013.
 
2013 SEASON REVIEW:
The 2013 season was easily one of the best in program history, as the Vikings completed their first unbeaten run through the Big Sky Conference at 8-0-1, and advanced to the Big Sky Tournament final for just the second time in program history. The Vikings also set program records for shutouts (12) and goals-against average (0.76) during the season, and only gave up three goals to Big Sky opponents during the season, two of which came on penalty kicks.