POCATELLO, Idaho – The Vikings opened Big Sky Conference play with a little bit of drama on Friday as the women's soccer team defeated Idaho State 3-2 in overtime off a golden goal by Rilee Castilla.
 
The win is the second in a row for the Vikings who improve to 2-8-0 on the year and 1-0-0 in the BSC. For the Bengals, they fall to 1-9-1 and 0-1-0 in conference play.
 
"It was a great result!" said Head Coach Katie Burton. "Obviously getting a win in the first game is huge for every team in the Big Sky, but a win on the road in that fashion and as a team was huge for our confidence and momentum going forward. The overall effort put us in a fantastic position moving into Sunday."
 
The Vikings opened the first half with an early goal as Sofi Papastamos sent a free-kick into the box, finding the head of Sienna Higinbotham who scored her third goal of the season in the fifth minute of play.
 
Portland State held the lead for nearly 10 minutes before the Bengals found their first goal of the day, hitting a shot into the upper corner of the net. Idaho State added to their lead in the 24^th minute, putting another ball between the posts after fighting off the Portland defense and hitting the ball into the left corner.
 
"We started slow in the first half, but the team did a great job with their effort to gain the momentum back. The whole team was plugged in, on the same page on both sides of the ball and did exactly what was needed to get that result," said Burton.
 
Starting the second half down 2-1, the Vikings made quick work of the Bengals' defense, earning a corner in the 53^rd minute before Liv Lagerquist collected the ball and fired into the net for her first career goal to bring PSU even in the match.
 
Portland State outshot Idaho State 19-17 and finished with 10 shots on goal, earning season-highs in both marks.
 
Enya Hernandez surpassed 50 saves this season, collecting six against Idaho State to total 51 on the year
 
After neither team could gain an advantage in regulation, the match headed to overtime where the Vikings made another quick start as Castilla collected a pass on their offensive third before pushing into the box and hitting the game-winner to the upper corner of the net.
 
"Rilee knew she just needed one chance," said Burton. "She made a great turn and scissor touch to set up her left foot. But at the end of the day that took our whole team from start to finish.
 
The Vikings return to Big Sky action on Sunday, Sept. 29 as they travel to Weber State to play the final match of their six-match road stint.