PORTLAND – With only two matches remaining in the regular season, it all comes down to this weekend for the Portland State women's soccer team as the Vikings attempt to clinch a spot in the postseason tournament, hosting Eastern Washington and Idaho beginning Friday, Oct. 25.
 
The Vikings (4-12-0, 3-4-0 BSC) are eager to return home after suffering a three-match skid, losing back-to-back matches on the road at Northern Colorado and Montana.
 
PSU will play both sides of the conference standings beginning with Eastern Washington who ranks second in the standings before playing Idaho on senior day who sits in ninth in the BSC.
 
CLINCHING SCENARIOS:
Four teams have already clinched a spot in the Big Sky Conference Tournament which leaves two openings. Northern Arizona currently sits in fifth with 10 points followed by Portland State in the final spot with nine points. Behind the Vikings is Weber State with six points while Idaho State and Idaho are tied with five points.
 
Portland State could clinch by the end of the day on Friday if the Vikings defeat Eastern Washington and Weber either loses or draws with Northern Arizona. The Vikings would also clinch if they win out the season regardless of other results.
 
A loss against Eastern Washington makes things a little trickier for the Vikings who will have to rely on several other schools in order to continue their season.
 
BY THE NUMBERS:
Sienna Higinbotham continues to lead the Vikings in goals with five while ranking third in the Big Sky Conference and as the top freshman in the league in points with 11. Sofi Papastamos ranks second in assists with five and Enya Hernandez is third in saves with 77.
 
Rilee Castilla is second on the squad with four goals while five other Vikings have notched one goal on the season. Diamond Quinn has tallied the second most assist with three on the year.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON:
-Currently in second place in the Big Sky standings, the Eagles hold a record of 8-5-2, going 5-0-1 in the BSC.
-After tying the first conference match of the season, Eastern Washington has won five straight matches, holding the longest current winning streak in the conference.
-The Eagles have posted four shutouts during their winning streak, outscoring opponents 12-1 in the last five matches.
-EWU holds the second-best overall winning percentage and has tallied the second-most wins, only behind Sacramento State with nine.
-EWU's match against Montana was postponed due to field conditions and will be made up on Oct. 30, prior to the start of the conference tournament.
-Eastern Washington ranks second overall in shots (207), second in points (63), and second in goals with 24. They hold the highest goals per match average at 1.60, having played one less match than Sacramento State.
-The Eagles have scored two or more goals in four of their six conference matches, the only matches they haven't were a 1-0 win over Weber State and a 1-1 tie against Northern Colorado.
-Leading Eastern Washington is Sariah Keister who ranks second in the league in points, goals, and shots.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. EASTERN WASHINGTON:
Portland State leads the all-time series against the Eagles with an overall record of 14-8-2. Though PSU leads, Eastern Washington has had the advantage in recent years, winning the last three matches including two meetings in 2017 in the regular season and Big Sky Tournament. The last win for the Vikings came during the 2014 season, a 3-1 result at home.
 
SCOUTING IDAHO:
-Idaho has had a difficult season to this point, holding an overall record of 4-11-2 and a conference record of 1-4-2.
-The Vandals picked up the one conference win in their previous matchup, defeating Southern Utah 2-1 in overtime.
-Idaho has tied some big conference matches, including a 1-1 result against Northern Colorado and a 1-1 tie against Weber State.
-As a team, Idaho ranks fifth in the league in goals with 15 and has allowed the fifth-fewest with 26 goals.
-Idaho's keeper Avrie Fox ranks eighth in the conference in saves per match with three while ranking 10^th in saver percentage at .661.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. IDAHO:
Idaho leads the series against the Vikings, holding a record of 8-5-0, and winning three of the last four meetings. The Vandals won in 2018 4-0 while Portland State won in 2017, winning 2-1 with both contests at Idaho.