Ending an era on top

This weekend is a time of celebration for Portland State soccer. Sunday’s match will mark the final appearance for Juli Edwards at PGE Park in a Portland State uniform. The senior defender is nearing the end of one of the most decorated careers in Viking soccer history.

Edwards, from Seattle, Wash., began her career in 2004 by earning Second Team All-Conference honors and being named Top Newcomer in the Big Sky. She followed her freshman campaign with a First Team All-Conference selection in 2005, and then was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, while once again earning the nod as a First Team All-Conference performer.

Although Edwards has been a consistent force for the Vikings throughout the years, it hasn’t always been easy. Following the 2004 season, when Portland State finished first in the Big Sky Conference with a 4-1-1 record, the coaching staff bolted for the University of Oregon.

“It was rough having four coaches leave at once,” Edwards said. “The leadership wasn’t there.”

In 2005, head coach Tim Bennett arrived and immediately started changing the culture of the Viking soccer program, and Edwards was an integral part.

“I’ve coached Division I soccer for twelve years. I’ve coached All-Americans and some outstanding players, but Juli is special,” Bennett said. “She has grown and matured so much over the last few years to become our leader on and off the field. With all the young kids that have come in, she had to change and become the one they relied on at a very young point in her own career.”

Edwards’ leadership has been crucial to the Vikings’ success this season, even if it hasn’t always been in the past.

“I try to lead by example,” Edwards said. “I wasn’t always the first person people would turn to, but the experience has helped me grow up a lot. Communication is the key. As a team, we’re coming together now and learning from our mistakes. We play really well when we are all together.”

Sunday will be a special day for Edwards. Her parents will be in the stands for the first time, in a long time and it will be her final regular season appearance at PGE Park.

“I’m so excited,” Edwards said. “The atmosphere is going to be amazing. My parents will be there. I really want to play well for them.”

If things go Edwards’ way, the Vikings will win the Big Sky championship and play in the school’s first-ever NCAA College Cup game.

“I think this team deserves it,” Edwards said. “They should get the feeling of winning that final game.”