Complete match notes (PDF)

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State women's soccer team (3-9-0, 1-3-0 Big Sky) will look to seize an opportunity to move up the Big Sky standings this weekend, as it faces a split weekend, hosting Idaho State at home Friday before heading out on the road for a match against Weber State Sunday.
 
The Vikings currently rank tied with Weber State for eighth in the Big Sky with three points each, and will need to move up in the standings if the team hopes to finish in the top six teams in the conference and qualify for its eighth straight Big Sky tournament.
 
This weekend's matches represent some of the Vikings' best chances to pick up points in the standings, as the Bengals enter the weekend 0-4-0 in Big Sky play and just 1-11-1 overall, while the Wildcats are 1-3-0 in Big Sky play and 5-7-1 overall.
 
The Vikings kick off the weekend against the Bengals at 1 p.m. Friday at Hillsboro Stadium, where they are 3-2-0 this season and have scored all five of their goals.
 
The Bengals could offer the tonic the Viking offense needs to get going, as the Bengals have given up an average of three goals per match this season, more than one goal per match more than any other team in the Big Sky. Three of the four Big Sky teams the Bengals have played have also scored three goals against them, while the Bengals last in the conference with 11 goals allowed through four Big Sky matches.
 
The Wildcats have also struggled defensively this season, as they rank just ahead of Idaho State at 10th in the Big Sky with 24 goals allowed so far. The Wildcats have struggled at home this season, as well, which could benefit the Vikings, who have struggled on the road. The Wildcats go into the weekend 0-3-1 at home this season, while the Vikings are 0-7-0 on the road.
 
The Vikings should also take some confidence from strong recent performances against both of their opponents this weekend, as they have dominated each series of late. The Vikings have won eight of their last nine matches against the Bengals, and take an eight-match unbeaten streak against the Wildcats into the weekend. The Vikings have not lost to the Wildcats since 2008, which was Portland State head coach Laura Schott's first season at the helm.
 
This weekend's matches will be unique, however, as the Vikings face off against the Wildcats at 12 p.m. (MT) in Ogden, Utah, less than 48 hours after they'll have played Idaho State at home on Friday. The Vikings handled a similar split weekend well last season, though, as the Vikings beat Idaho State 1-0 in Pocatello, Idaho, on a Friday, and then came back home to beat Weber State 1-0 that Sunday. That was the first such split weekend the Vikings faced, which started after Idaho joined the Big Sky, giving the conference 11 teams in soccer.
 
LIVE VIDEO:
Live video will be available for the Vikings' home match against Idaho State with play-by-play by Matt Marquette. Fans can access the live stream by clicking the "soccer stream" tab on the women's soccer page on GoViks.com. GoViks.com staff will also publish a special "gameday" article right before the start of the match that will have the stream embedded in it.
 
LIVE STATS:
Live stats will be available for both matches this weekend. Fans can find the live stats links on the women's soccer schedule page on GoViks.com.
 
SCOUTING IDAHO STATE:
The Idaho State Bengals (1-11-1, 0-4-0 Big Sky) have had a rough season so far with their only win coming over NCAA Division II Westminster. The Bengals have been okay offensively, scoring 17 goals in 13 total matches, but have struggled defensively. The Bengals rank last in the Big Sky with 39 goals allowed this season, 15 more than any other team in the Big Sky. The Bengals' 39 goals allowed give them a goals-against average of 2.94 this season, more than a full point higher than any other team in the conference. The Bengals have also given up 11 goals already through four Big Sky matches, giving them a conference goals-against average of 2.75. Individually, the Bengals have played three different players in goal, but senior Sheridan Hapsic has started the last three matches for the Bengals, and has the most starts overall with 10 this season. Hapsic has allowed 25 goals in her 10 starts, giving her a goals-against average of 2.96, just ahead of the team's other occasional starter in sophomore Shawna Hennings. Hennings has made three starts for the Bengals in goal, including the team's conference opener against Idaho, and has allowed 12 goals in three starts and six total appearances. Freshman Renata Orozco has also made two appearances in goal and leads the Bengals with a 2.09 goals-against average, but hasn't played more than 90 minutes this season. Meanwhile, the Bengals have the top offensive player in the conference in sophomore forward Maria Sanchez, who played for the Mexico Women's National Team at this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup, and won a bronze medal with Mexico at the 2015 Pan American Games. So far this season at Idaho State, Sanchez has scored 12 of the team's 17 goals, and has assisted on four of the team's five other goals. Not surprisingly, Sanchez ranks at the top of the Big Sky Conference in goals scored and points, and ranks tied for fourth in the conference in assists. Sanchez has also scored four goals through the Bengals' first four Big Sky matches this season, the most goals scored in conference play by any individual so far. Additionally, Sanchez has been part of all five of the Bengals' conference goals, scoring four of them and assisting on the other.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS IDAHO STATE:
The Vikings lead the all-time series against Idaho State, 9-8-1, though the teams are tied 4-4-1 at PSU. The Vikings have dominated the series of late, however, as they have won eight of the last nine matches in the series. The one recent match the Vikings lost came in 2012, when Idaho State beat the Vikings 2-1 at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
SCOUTING WEBER STATE:
The Weber State Wildcats (5-7-1, 1-3-0 Big Sky) are coming off a tough year last season, as they followed up their 2013 Big Sky tournament title by placing 10th in the Big Sky at 2-7-1. The Wildcats were without 2013 All-Big Sky first-team selection Chansi Crompton in 2014, however, as Crompton suffered recurring injuries and was granted a medical hardship. Crompton led the Big Sky in assists in each of her first two seasons at Weber State, and could do so again in 2015, as she currently ranks third in the Big Sky with five assists this season. Crompton also has scored two goals for the Wildcats this season, ranking her second on the team with nine total points. Senior forward Mackenzie Harrison leads the team with 10 total points, recording four goals and two assists so far this season. Harrison's four goals rank tied for fifth in the Big Sky, while her 10 total points rank her tied for sixth. The Wildcats have been a balanced offensive team this season, however, as five players have scored two or more goals. Besides Harrison, freshman forward Morgan Quarnberg ranks second on the team with three goals scored, while Crompton, redshirt junior defender Kellyn Ashby and freshman forward Madison Garlock all have scored two goals each. However, while the Wildcats have had a balanced offensive attack, they have struggled at times defensively, as they rank second to last in the Big Sky with 24 goals allowed. Individually, the Wildcats have played two different players in goal so far this season, with both making appearances in Big Sky play. Freshman Nikki Pittman started the first weekend of Big Sky play for the Wildcats, while sophomore Sydnie Brough started the last two Big Sky matches. Pittman holds a slight lead over Brough statistically, as she has a lower goals-against average than Brough (1.62-2.22) and a higher save percentage (.733-.579).
 
ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS WEBER STATE:
The Vikings lead their all-time series against the Wildcats, 9-8-4, and take an eight-match unbeaten streak into their match Sunday. The Vikings have not lost to the Wildcats since 2008, the first year of Laura Schott's head coaching tenure at Portland State. Consequently, Schott has owned her head-to-head against Weber State head coach Tim Crompton, who is just 3-7-4 all-time against the Vikings in his 12 seasons at Weber State.
 
TOUGH LUCK STINGS VIKINGS ON ROAD TRIP TO IDAHO, EASTERN WASHINGTON:
The Vikings lost a pair of tough-luck matches last weekend, as they fell 1-0 to Idaho and Eastern Washington. Both of the goals the Vikings gave up came on deflections, as Idaho scored on a deflected free kick that came off the Vikings' wall in the first half of their match, while Eastern Washington also fielded a deflection to start the play that led to their goal. The goals marred what was otherwise a solid weekend for the Vikings, who outshot both of their opponents over the weekend.
 
HOME SWEET HOME:
Hillsboro Stadium has been good to the Vikings so far this season, as they are 3-2-0 at home this season versus a 0-7-0 record on the road. The Vikings have also scored all five of their goals this season at home, as they are outscoring their opponents 5-3 at home while being outscored 17-0 on the road.
 
CLOSE MATCHES AND LATE GOALS:
Close matches and late goals have dominated the Vikings' season so far this season, as nine of the team's 12 matches have been decided by a single goal, while five of the team's matches have been decided by a goal scored in the 80th minute or later. All four of the Vikings' Big Sky matches have been decided by a single goal, while the team's first two Big Sky matches were also decided by late goals. Additionally, the Vikings have played seven 1-0 matches so far this season, with the Vikings 2-5-0 in those matches. The Vikings beat Hawai'i and Air Force by 1-0 scores, but have lost by the same score to UC Davis, Oregon, Utah Valley, Idaho and Eastern Washington. The Vikings' 1-0 losses to Oregon and Utah Valley each came on goals scored in the 80th minute or later, while the Vikings' 1-0 win over Air Force came on a penalty kick in overtime. The Vikings also won a penalty kick in overtime against Southern Utah, but the Vikings followed that match with a late loss to Northern Arizona.
 
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE:
Portland State head coach Laura Schott likes to challenge her team and she did so again during the non-conference season, as the Vikings played the second-toughest schedule of any Big Sky team, according to HEROSports.com. Additionally, the Vikings played two opponents who have been ranked in the NSCAA Coaches poll in Arizona State (ranked as high as 18th) and Long Beach State (ranked as high as 23rd this season), and beat a talented Hawai'i team that put a scare into then-No. 3 Stanford on the first day of the 2015 regular season. Hawai'i led Stanford 1-0 going into the 70th minute of that match, but Stanford came back with two late goals to beat Hawai'i, 2-1.
 
BIANCHINI WRITING HER NAME IN PSU RECORD BOOKS:
Senior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini already has her name all over the PSU record book, and will be looking to move up in several categories throughout the season. Bianchini ranks in the top 10 all-time in points (T-5th), points per game (10th), goals (T-5th), goals per game (9th), assists (T-7th), assists per game (10th) and shots on goal per game (8th), and recently moved into the top 10 in total shots on goal (T-3rd), total shots (6th) and shots per game (10th).
 
ANGELA HALUSKA, SAVE MACHINE:
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Angela Haluska has been a save machine for the Vikings in her first season as the Vikings' starting goalkeeper, and enters the weekend ranked 32nd in the NCAA in total saves (69), as well as 43rd in saves per match (5.75). Haluska has already had two matches with 10-plus saves, including making 11 saves in the Vikings' 1-0 win over Hawai'i on Sept. 4. Haluska's 11 saves against Hawai'i were the most by a PSU goalkeeper since Lainey Hulsizer made 14 saves against Sacramento State on Sept. 30, 2011. Haluska also made 10 saves in the Vikings' season opener against No. 19 Arizona State, and has made six or more saves in three of the Vikings' other eight matches as well. Haluska's average of 5.75 saves per match would also rank as the fourth-best single-season average in school history if the season ended today, and ranks her second in the Big Sky in the category this season. Additionally, Haluska has moved into the top 10 all-time at Portland State in save percentage (6th), saves per match (6th) and total saves this season (10th). Haluska's 69 saves so far also rank just outside the top 10 in single-season saves, and she'll tie the 10th-best single-season mark with four more saves.
 
RETURNERS:
Despite the youth on the defensive side of the field, the Vikings still returned a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball this season, led by last year's co-leaders in points in senior Tamia Hasan and senior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini. Hasan led the Vikings with four goals scored last season, while Bianchini led the Big Sky with five assists in conference play and made her second straight All-Big Sky first team last season. Besides them, senior Emma Cooney, junior Bianca Munoz and sophomore Katie Forsee return after starting most of last season at their respective positions. Munoz was an All-Big Sky second-team selection last season, when she started the final 11 matches of the season and ranked tied for second on the team with two assists. Outside of last year's starters, redshirt senior goalkeeper Angela Haluska, redshirt junior midfielder Whitney Hilde, junior midfielder Aurora Bodenhamer, sophomore forward Zoe Vincini, junior midfielder Nikia Evans, sophomore midfielder Dallas Malone, sophomore forward Rachel Michieli and sophomore midfielder Lauren Owens return after playing last season, while redshirt freshman goalkeeper Abbie Faingold and redshirt sophomore defenders Breanne Chilton-Eddy and Kristin Moyer return after sitting out last season.
 
NEWCOMERS:
The Vikings brought in 10 freshmen with their 2015 recruiting class, including five defenders who have helped bolster the team's young defense. Head coach Laura Schott singled out Rachel Ross and Maxine Nagramada as two defenders who could contribute right away, while Laura Gougeon, Zoe Ramer and Dallin Esmond should all also factor into the Vikings' lineup. Outside of the team's new defenders, Ashton Blanksma gives the Vikings a third option at goalkeeper, while Megan Myers, Morgan Matthews, Kylie Long and Krystal de Ramos will all factor into the Vikings' attack.
 
A LOADED MIDFIELD:
The Vikings entered the 2015 season with a loaded crop of midfielders to choose from for a starting lineup. Senior midfielder/forward Cori Bianchini has been a leader for the group, as she led the Big Sky with five assists in conference play last season. Besides her, senior Emma Cooney, junior Bianca Munoz and sophomore Katie Forsee all also returned after starting the majority of the team's matches last season in the midfield. Additionally, redshirt junior Whitney Hilde made three starts in the midfield for the Vikings last season and was part of the Vikings' rotation all season.
 
BIG SKY PRESEASON POLL:
Big Sky coaches picked the Vikings to finish third in the conference this season in the annual preseason coaches poll that was released in August. Portland State earned 74 points in the poll, placing them behind preseason favorites Northern Arizona and Montana. NAU and Montana each earned 93 total points in the poll, but NAU beat out Montana for the top spot on the virtue of NAU's five first-place votes to Montana's four. Weber State received the other two first-place votes and finished fourth in the poll with 72 total points. Northern Colorado and Idaho State, meanwhile, rounded out the hypothetical six-team Big Sky tournament field, as they placed fifth and sixth in the poll with 60 and 57 points, respectively.
 
2014 SEASON RECAP:
A senior-laden Vikings team surged over its final six matches of the regular season to finish second in the Big Sky last season, continuing the team's streak of finishing no worse than second in the Big Sky for the seventh straight season. The Vikings started Big Sky play just 1-2-1 after four matches, but then won five of their last six to finish at 6-2-2. Goalkeeper Caitlin Plese led the Vikings from the back, as she tied the Portland State career record for shutouts with 17 by the end of the season. Plese was also named the Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year for the second straight season, and made her second straight All-Big Sky first team along with senior defender Kayla Henningsen and then-junior Cori Bianchini. Senior Kelsey Henningsen also made the All-Big Sky second team as a member of the team's defense, as well as Torie Morris, who was an All-Big Sky honorable mention. The Vikings also set a Big Sky Conference record at the start of the 2014 non-conference schedule, as the team broke the record for longest unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win over Utah Valley in its season opener. That win extended the Vikings' unbeaten streak to a record 14 matches, and the team would stretch it to 16 before a loss to then-No. 21 California snapped it. The Vikings also pulled out a dramatic, 1-0 overtime win over in-state rival Oregon early in the season, giving the Vikings their first win over the Ducks since 2004.