Portland State and Sacramento State entered Sunday's match tied for the final playoff spot in the Big Sky, setting the stage for the biggest game of the season for both teams. The first shutout since the opening week of the season and an incredible goal from Mya Lopez now have the Vikings coming back home to Portland with three points and control of their own destiny.
"We are very proud of the team and how they played today," head coach
Katie Burton said. "Obviously there was a lot of weight and pressure behind this game. They stepped up as a team and got the job done."
Abbie Faingold has been making big saves all season but got the help she needed from her defense. The redshirt-senior made five saves in the match, including a diving save late in the game that kept the Vikings ahead, to help seal the 1-0 victory in Portland State's only match of the week.
The Vikings win, combined with other results from around the Big Sky, now have them sitting in fifth place in the conference entering the final weekend of play. The top six teams qualify for the tournament, meaning a solid homestand will have Portland State in the postseason for the second consecutive year.
The first half of the match showed the determination for both teams, as end-to-end action generated a number of chances for both sides. Faingold was called into action early on, making a save in the fourth minute on a real threat for Sacramento State.
The Vikings took a while to settle in to the match, but once they did a number of good opportunities followed. Ellie Vasey put the first shot on goal in the 17th minute and Rilee Castilla very nearly found the back of the net in the 20th minute, but missed just wide.
Castilla again had a look at goal at the half hour mark of the match, but Sacramento State goalkeeper Kaylyn Evans made a big save of her own as the two goalkeepers battled back and forth.
It was Mya Lopez, who had a goal that made NCAA Soccer's top plays of the week earlier this season, that broke the deadlock with another stunning strike. She subbed in at 25 minutes and seven minutes later scored, firing from 30 yards out and placing it just over the leaping goalkeeper from Sacramento State.
"Mya has been great coming off the bench," Burton said. "We knew the flow of this game complimented her strengths as a possession style midfielder and we know she has a lethal shot."
Molly Joyce nearly doubled the lead minutes later with a blast that was saved, but the Vikings rode the momentum and energy of the goal to the halftime break.
Adjustments were made by both sides at halftime but the Vikings controlled the final 45 minutes, playing the possession brand of soccer that Burton has instilled in this team. The Vikings wouldn't attempt many shots in the second half, but they did their job keeping the ball away from their own goal very well.
The best chance at an equalizer came in the 78th minute. The Hornets found some space in the box just to the left of Faingold and fired a shot on goal. The keeper dove full-extension to her right and smothered the ball, maintaining the one-goal lead for the Vikings.
The Hornets would manage just one more shot in the match, an attempt that never came close to threatening Faingold, and the Vikings controlled possession to run out the clock.
"Every line did their part which is what we talked about before the game," Burton said. "It was a must that we put 90 minutes together to get a result. Overall we were very pleased with the chemistry and effort displayed in the match."
The defense stepped up in a match that was critically important. A unit that has been playing together all season long, Burton is happy with the chemistry they have developed.
"The chemistry in our backline has been progressing, especially in the last four games." she said. "They played 90 minutes under a lot of pressure which is a tough task at this level. They are doing a fantastic job."
While this was the biggest win of the season on the most important game played so far, Portland State doesn't have any time to rest on their laurels. Montana comes to Hillsboro Stadium on Thursday in what will likely be the make-or-break game for both teams.
The Grizzlies, who have four draws in seven conference matches, sit two points behind the Vikings in the table. Eastern Washington is also two points behind Portland State as the three teams will battle it out for the final two spots in the conference tournament.
Portland State will finish the season against Northern Colorado, the best offense in the conference and a team that has already clinched a spot in the Big Sky tournament.
MATCH NOTES: The Vikings trail in the all-time series 10-12-3, but have won both meetings under head coach
Katie Burton … this was
Abbie Faingold's first shutout since Aug. 19 against Texas Southern in the opening weekend of the season ... it is the 13th shutout of Faingold's career, moving her into sole possession of third place in Portland State history … the Vikings have now won back-to-back road games and have nine points in their last four games.
