HILLSBORO, Ore. - The Portland State women's soccer team hosted Northern Arizona on Sunday afternoon, battling the preseason Big Sky favorite to a 0-0 draw at Hillsboro Stadium.
Coming off an exciting victory in the conference opener on Friday, the Vikings (4-5-1, 1-0-1 BSC) finished the first weekend of Big Sky play with four points. Northern Arizona, who fell to Sacramento State on Friday, moved to 5-3-3 on the year and 0-1-1 in Big Sky action.
The Vikings' defense held their own against a Lumberjacks team that has scored 14 goals thus far, allowing just 13 shots on the way to their second shutout of the year.
Offensively, the Vikings came out firing, taking four shots in the opening 14 minutes but failed to find the net. NAU's first-half opportunities were few and far between, recording just three shots in the half, none of which were on goal.
The second half was chippy as the teams combined for 13 fouls and three yellow cards.
Lucy Quinn gave Portland State its best opportunity of the day in the 47th minute, firing a shot that missed just a few inches high. A minute later, the Vikings earned their only corner kick of the afternoon but failed to capitalize on it.Â
After zero saves in the first half, Viking goalkeeper
Natalie Cunningham was put to the test in the final 45 minutes. She tallied four saves, two of which came during crucial opportunities for NAU in the 62nd and 63rd minutes.
Northern Arizona's final chance came in the 89th minute, seeing Josie Novak narrowly miss a game winner wide right.
It was the first time this season PSU recorded less than ten shots, totaling nine on the day. Quinn and
Abi Hoffman combined for six of the team's total. Cunningham completed her second shutout of the season, notching four saves in 90 minutes of action.
The Vikings will return to action next Sunday, Oct. 1 in a road match at Sacramento State (1:00 p.m.).
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