The final two games of the regular season may be the most important, as Portland State (6-7-2 overall, 2-1-1 Big Sky Conference) hosts Weber State (5-9-1, 3-1-1) and plays at Idaho State (4-10-1, 1-4-0) this weekend, in games that will directly determine their place in the Big Sky Conference standings and tournament.
The final two games of the regular season may be the most important, as Portland State (6-7-2 overall, 2-1-1 Big Sky Conference) hosts Weber State (5-9-1, 3-1-1) and plays at Idaho State (4-10-1, 1-4-0) this weekend, in games that will directly determine their place in the Big Sky Conference standings and tournament.
Last weekend, the Vikings lost to Northern Colorado 1-0, and then tied Northern Arizona 1-1 on senior day. Portland State had 23 shots in the game, but only one goal. Although they came out with only a tie against Northern Arizona, the Vikings played some of their best soccer of the season.
“We played really well against Northern Arizona,” senior Melissa Trammell said. “As a team we played amazing, it really showed our improvement throughout the season.”
The game against Weber State will be the last home game of the season for the Vikings, even though they celebrated senior day last weekend. This game will hold importance not only for the seniors but also the whole team, as Weber State is currently two points ahead of Portland State and tied for first place in the conference.
“It’s gonna be a big game for our seniors for multiple reasons and obviously a big game for our team,” head coach Laura Schott said. “We can still reach our goals of winning the conference and hosting a game in the tournament.”
The Vikings have some control of their destiny, as two wins this weekend and a Northern Colorado loss would allow them to win the conference and host the Big Sky Tournament. Hosting games would be a huge advantage for the Vikings, and a postseason victory is an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Portland State is one weekend away from accomplishing many of the goals they set at the beginning of the season.
“No question. We have to win,” junior Carlie Martin said. “We need to calm down and play with composure. We’re better than these teams.”
Portland State can’t afford another 23-shot performance resulting in only one goal this weekend. The emphasis for the Vikings this week has been on finishing opportunities, especially in one-on-one situations. Junior forward Megan Martin has struck for six goals this season, including a hat trick in the conference opener. Trammell is second on the team with three goals and has added two assists as well.
“We need to create opportunities and be confident in scoring goals,” Trammell said. “I have full confidence if we do that, we will win.”
In potentially the last two matches of the season, Portland State needs results, or the team could easily find themselves with no more games left.
“All the games are going to be important from here on out,” Schott said. “We need to stay mentally tough, we need to stay focused and we need to finish our chances.”
With the season on the line and the two biggest games of the year this weekend, the Portland State Vikings could use all the fan support possible. This morning, the team plays Weber State at Hillsboro Stadium with an 11 a.m. kickoff scheduled. On Sunday, the team travels to Pocatello to take on Idaho State.
“It’d be nice if people came and supported us in our last home game,” Martin said. “We are really excited for the game against Weber State.”
