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HILLSBORO, Ore. — One Big Sky match down, and three points in the bank for the Portland State women's soccer team. The Vikings beat Southern Utah 2-0 Friday on a pair of second-half goals in both teams' Big Sky opener at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
Senior Katie Forsee – who else? - and freshman Diamond Quinn scored for the Vikings in the 74th and 79th minutes, respectively, breaking open what had been a frustrating match at times for the Vikings.
 
The Vikings (4-5-0, 1-0-0 Big Sky) finished with a 19-8 advantage in shots against the Thunderbirds (1-8-0, 0-1-0 Big Sky) – including a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal – but had to wait for the two late goals to break the deadlock. Additionally, Forsee missed a penalty kick in the 55th minute of the match, as it bounced off the post to keep the Vikings scoreless.
 
"Winning that first game is critical, and especially at home," head coach Katie Burton said after the match. "The team was determined today as a unit. They've been working hard all week, doing all the right things, on and off the field. We knew the goals were coming, it was just a matter of when. Katie and Diamond were incredibly composed on their finishes. Both were very tough shots, but both came from a team effort starting with their work rate, determination and effort. That's all we can ask for as a coaching staff."
 
Forsee scored the critical first goal for the Vikings in the 74th minute, as she took a loose ball off a Southern Utah defender and one-timed a chip over the goalkeeper from 18 yards out.
 
Forsee's goal marked the sixth of the season for the senior, who entered the weekend tied for the Big Sky lead in goals scored this season. Forsee also assisted on Quinn's goal, upping her point total for the season to 13 – a career high – on six goals and one assist.
 
Forsee moved into a tie for fifth all time in goals scored with her 13th as a Viking Friday, tying her with former teammate Cori Bianchini (2012-15). Forsee also matched Bianchini with the seventh game-winning goal of her career in the match, putting her one behind the record of eight that Frankie Ross (2007-10) and Dolly Enneking (2006-09) currently share.
 
Additionally, Forsee's six goals this season put her in a tie for the ninth best season in the Division I history of the program, and mark the most by a Viking since Eryn Brown scored eight goals in 2013.
 
Quinn's goal, meanwhile, gave the Vikings' some breathing room after Southern Utah went onto the front foot searching for an equalizer.
 
Quinn scored a beauty for the Vikings, as she received a header up from Forsee following a punt from Southern Utah's keeper, and promptly took a shot from 25 yards out. Quinn's shot was a low line drive that caught Southern Utah goalkeeper Alanna Carbonaro out of position.
 
The goal marked Quinn's first career goal as a Viking, and made her the third Viking freshman to score this season, along with Rilee Castilla and Ellie Vasey.
 
Junior midfielder Morgan Matthews nearly added a third goal for the Vikings just over a minute after Quinn's goal in the 80th minute. Forsee fed Matthews the ball right up the middle of the field, freeing Matthews up for a 1v1 with Carbonaro. Matthews tried to place her shot to Carbonaro's right, but the Thunderbird goalkeeper was quick to react and made the save.
 
The Vikings will head out on the road for their next two matches, as they play at Weber State and Idaho State next week. The Vikings will open the weekend against the Wildcats in Ogden, Utah, Friday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. (MT).
 
Match Notes: The Vikings improve to 4-2-1 all time against Southern Utah, including a 2-0-1 record at home…The Viking defense finished with its fourth shutout of the season, all coming in the Vikings' four wins this season…Redshirt junior goalkeeper Abbie Faingold moves into a tie for sixth all time in career shutouts at Portland State with her ninth.