PORTLAND – The return to Hillsboro Stadium did not go as planned for the Portland State women's soccer team as the Vikings dropped a 2-0 result against UC Davis on Friday afternoon.
 
The Aggies scored the game-winner in the final moments of the first half, sending a through ball up the middle of the box before knocking it to the bottom corner of the net.
 
UC Davis improves to 3-1-0 on the season while Portland State moves to 0-4-0.
 
The Vikings came out strong in the opening half, firing the first three shots of the match. Teá Poore recorded the first chance from 20-yards out in the opening two minutes. Chloe Huling had a great look that sailed just a little too high as it passed the top right of the crossbar followed by an attempt from Liv Lagerquist.
 
"I thought we played very well in the first 20 minutes," said Head Coach Katie Burton. "We saw the combo play and pattern work that we have been training all week on but needed to put one away early. After that, we got disconnected and consistently lost possession, that put us on defense the rest of the half."
 
The Aggies' offense came alive after that as they recorded eight straight shots. UC Davis saw back-to-back chances end in saves as Enya Hernandez dove left to stop a shot before recovering and diving back into goal to save the second attempt and keep the score even.
 
UC Davis tallied 23 total shots on the day with 11 shots on goal while Portland State earned eight shots with one on goal.
 
In the second half, UCD continued to pressure the Vikings offensively, scoring the second goal off a free kick from 25-yard out as the bail hit just inside the upper corner to give UC Davis a 2-0 advantage.
 
Sienna Higinbotham recorded two shots on the day to lead PSU while Rilee Castilla sent a shot to the bottom corner of the goal that ended up in the hands of the UCD keeper in the 82^nd minute for the team's only shot on goal. Hernandez finished with seven saves for the second consecutive match.
 
"In the second half we didn't play as a unit or with enough urgency being down a goal, we needed to do more individually and as a team," said Burton. "Davis played hard and put a lot of pressure on us and hit an excellent set piece goal. Hoping for a better performance on Sunday."
 
The Vikings continue their weekend at home as they host the University of New Mexico on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Hillsboro Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.