Ducks, Beavers edge Portland State

After dropping two matches this weekend to Oregon State and Oregon, both by the score of 2-1, Portland State head soccer coach Tim Bennett remained upbeat.

“I’m happy,” Bennett said. “We kept our composure and kept battling back, and we came away knowing we can compete at a higher level and have the opportunity to win.”

The Vikings (4-6-0) dug themselves an early hole in Corvallis, Ore., Friday night, allowing two scores less than 10 minutes into the first half. The Beavers (6-2-1) took advantage of Portland State’s slow start, dominating play for the first 45 minutes and out shooting the Vikings 10-2.

Portland State fought back in the second half, thanks in large part to stellar play from sophomore defender Alissa Russell and junior defender Laura Ellison. The Viking defense stymied Oregon State’s attack, not allowing a goal in the second half.

“The back played very well in the second half. Alissa and Laura were more aggressive and were able to help us control the ball better offensively,” Bennett said.

The increased effort led to seven shot attempts for the Vikings in the second half, a far cry from the meager two attempts in the first 45 minutes.

Sophomore midfielder Tara Authier connected on the Vikings only score of the evening in the 62nd minute. Authier controlled the ball with her back to the net, turned, and blasted a shot from 18 yards out for her fourth goal of the season. Sophomore forward Dolly Enneking led the team with three shots taken.

The story was a bit different Sunday afternoon in Eugene, Ore., but the outcome was the same. Oregon (6-3-0) got on the board early, scoring in the 8th minute and again in the 37th minute, but the Vikings played more consistently and with better control against Oregon Sunday.

“I thought we outplayed them,” Bennett said. “Overall [Oregon] made some better individual plays, but we controlled the ball more than they did. We just need to put things together and play a full game.”

Again, Authier provided the only offense for the Vikings, taking a pass from Enneking and sending it to the back of the net in the 79th minute.

“Tara’s an opportunist. She looks to shoot from anywhere at any given angle,” Bennett said. “If the ball is loose around the net, she’ll find it.”

The goal was Authier’s fifth on the season, which leads the team and moves her into ninth place on the Portland State all-time single season list for goals scored. Enneking also leads the Vikings with four assists in only 10 games.

Recently, the Vikings have played inconsistently, leading to a three-match losing streak. But with only one non-conference match remaining before facing another Big Sky foe, the Vikings are set to reap the benefits of a strenuous schedule.

“We’re not afraid to play anybody,” Bennett said. “We’ve had one of the tougher schedules in the conference but we’ve learned how to win games and we know how well we can play now.”