Bring on the conference foes

With 11 matches under their belt and seven to go, the race for the Big Sky Soccer Championship officially begins Friday night at PGE Park for the Portland State Vikings.

The Vikings’ 4-6-1 record means nothing since it was compiled against non-conference teams. And the nine months of training and waiting for this particular moment is over, because conference competition means every match is meaningful.

The Idaho State Bengals (5-3-3) roll into Portland Friday night, undefeated in their last five matches after mauling Southern Utah 7-1 last week. Junior midfielder Chelsea Cox scored two goals in the victory over the Thunderbirds, earning herself Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.

The Bengals, Big Sky’s reigning regular season and postseason champions, were picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky coaches’ preseason poll, one spot ahead of Portland State and one spot below Weber State, the Vikings’ other opponent this weekend.

“This first weekend is critical for us,” said Viking head coach Tim Bennett. “Idaho State and Weber State are two of the top four teams in the conference. We’re going to be at PGE Park this weekend. We’re excited to get after it.”

Weber State (4-5-1) played Monday in Hawaii, snapping a four-game winless streak with a 1-0 win over Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Last season, Portland State defeated eventual Big Sky Champion Idaho State 1-0 in overtime in Pocatello, Idaho, and lost 1-2 at Weber State in Ogden, Utah two days later.

Sophomore Portland State goalkeeper Cris Lewis was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after stopping 11 shots in a scoreless shutout at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas last Friday.

Idaho StateFriday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.PGE Park

Weber StateSunday, Oct. 14, Noon PGE Park