There have been some changes at the top for the Vikings over the past couple of months, but with the program now resting in the hands of new head coach Laura Schott, the former Portland State assistant coach envisions a bright future for soccer in the South Park Blocks.
But in order to secure a successful future, Schott believes the Vikings must take a look back at the past.
“You have to have some connection to the past. I don’t want the [players] to feel like they are on an island and nobody was here before them,” Schott said of the program’s history. “This team has won conference championships before. They need exposure to players who have done that and been there.”
Schott will have help building her vision for the program with the addition of assistant coach Melanie Langley. After two seasons as head coach at nearby Linfield College, Langley returns home to Portland State a half decade after lettering in soccer for the Vikings from 2001-03.
The transition from former head coach Tim Bennett, who left for Iowa State after three seasons, has been quite smooth, and Schott has liked what she has seen from her players since taking the reins in early March.
“Transition periods take a little while. With any transition, things are going to be done differently,” Schott said. “The girls have done well with the on-the-field stuff, and the things I’m asking them to do off the field.”
The Vikings concluded their spring season on May 6, after playing five matches against local teams Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Western Washington and Western Oregon.
“It’s much more beneficial to get a team in March than to get them in August,” Schott said of the importance of time spent with the players during the spring after her elevation to head coach.
Sixteen players from the Portland State team, which finished 3-3-1 in the Big Sky Conference and participated in the conference tournament for the first time since 2004, took part in spring competition. The added experience from the matches played this spring will likely help as the Vikings attempt to climb to the top of the Big Sky next year.
“Overall it went well,” Schott said. “In each game, there were great things and some things we need to work on. The spring was a great learning experience for everybody.”
Schott was quick to point out the play of several returning players who stood out in the spring matches.
“One of our captains, Nathalie Wollmann, had one of the greatest goals I have seen since I’ve been here. Sarah Smart, who is going to be senior for us this year, put three [goals] in this spring,” Schott said.
Schott also credited freshman Dolly Enneking and junior Tarah Authier for their strong play this spring.
The players also view the spring as a valuable time to bond.
“This spring season we made some great strides. Figuring out a new system, in order to reach our ultimate goals of winning the Big Sky and going to the tournament,” said Enneking, an All-Big Sky second-team performer last year. “I look forward to the fall, and it can’t come soon enough.”
Junior goalkeeper Cris Lewis, who ranks second all-time in school history in saves-per-game average at 5.18, echoed Enneking’s thoughts on the spring season and the expectations for the fall.
“The spring was a really big step for us with the coaching change,” Lewis said. “We had to transition as a team to learn how [Schott] coaches. We all have just been working really hard, looking towards winning the Big Sky.”
The team will continue to improve as the Vikings welcome 11 new players in the fall. Schott feels that the addition of such a large freshman class will fuel competition among the players.
“With the core we have and the experience they had the last few months, they are ready for that challenge,” Schott said. “I’m very excited about the group. Overall, the class has some talent. I’m very excited to get them on campus and get them integrated.”
Enneking, whose sister, Elle, will be among the 11 incoming freshmen, welcomes the competition.
“The players that are coming in are very good, very strong players,” Enneking said. “To have that many players come in and immediately make an impact on our program is so exciting.”
The Vikings look to their first season under Schott with a team of savvy veterans and an influx of young talent with one common goal: a conference title.