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Portland State University Athletics

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS
1
Idaho IDA (6-4-2, 1-2-1)
2
Winner Portland St. PSU (6-5-1, 3-0-1)
Idaho IDA
(6-4-2, 1-2-1)
1
Final
2
Portland St. PSU
(6-5-1, 3-0-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Idaho IDA 0 1 1
Portland St. PSU 0 2 2
Vikings celebrate goal against Idaho
Larry C. Lawson
Vikings celebrate an Audrey Williams go-ahead goal against Idaho on Oct. 6, 2023 at Hillsboro Stadium

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Christy Garrett

Vikings' Second-Half Resilience Sparks 2-1 Win Over Idaho

HILLSBORO, Ore. - Portland State women's soccer secured its first six-win season since 2017 on Friday evening, defeating the University of Idaho 2-1 under the lights at Hillsboro Stadium. 

Friday's win was crucial for the Vikings (6-5-1, 3-0-1 BSC), who now sit alone atop the Big Sky soccer standings. Winning five of their last six games, this marks the second consecutive season head coach Katie Burton and the Vikings have opened their Big Sky slate 3-0-1. 

The Vandals, who were picked to finish second in the Big Sky Preseason Poll, dropped to 6-4-2 on the year and 1-2-1 in conference play after Friday's loss. 

As they have several times this season, the Vikings leaned on a second-half surge to steer them to victory on Friday. The teams combined for 17 shots and several near misses in the opening 45 minutes, but neither team found the net.

Both offenses were all gas and no breaks in the second half, resulting in 13 shots and 10 corner kicks. Taking full advantage of their corner-kick opportunities, the Vikings scored first. In the 56th minute, Abi Hoffman sent a beautifully placed ball into the box that deflected off Audrey Williams and into the goal. After a trio of unsuccessful shots by the Vandals, Ashley Peters leveled the match at one in the 67th minute, sending a ball past the outstretched hands of Viking goalkeeper Natalie Cunningham.

The second-half madness continued with a series of corner kicks for Portland State. In the 71st minute, Hoffman delivered yet another perfect cross from the corner that was nodded home by Sienna Higinbotham to give PSU the lead.

Battling a Vandal attack that was eager to respond, the Vikings' defense was resilient down the stretch. Cunningham, in particular. The sophomore was rock solid between the posts in the final minutes, making two crucial saves to secure the Vikings' 2-1 victory. 

The Vandals out-shot the Vikings 16-12, putting nine of their shots on goal. Hoffman led Portland State with a team-high four shots. Higinbotham's game-winner was her second of the season and the fourth of her career. Recording six saves in goal, Cunningham earned her fourth victory of the season and first career conference win. 

On Sunday, Oct. 8, the first-place Vikings will close out their home schedule against Eastern Washington at Hillsboro Stadium (1:00 p.m.). As part of the home finale, PSU will honor its five seniors before kickoff.

 
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Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
Scoring Team Scoring Play
55:29
PSU Audrey Williams (2)
Assisted By: Abi Hoffman
GOAL by PSU Williams, Audrey Assist by Hoffman, Abi.
66:41
IDA Alyssa Peters (1)
GOAL by IDA Peters, Alyssa.
70:21
PSU Sienna Higinbotham (3)
Assisted By: Abi Hoffman
GOAL by PSU Higinbotham, Sienna Assist by Hoffman, Abi.

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