Hornets crush Vikings dreams, again

For the second season in a row, the race for the Big Sky regular-season title came down to a match between Portland State and Sacramento State, and with a 1-0 victory Friday the Hornets once again came out on top.

A loss in the season finale to Sacramento State (10-3-5, 4-0-3) a year ago knocked the Vikings out of the Big Sky Tournament. This season, a Vikings win would have forced a tie for first place, meaning Portland State had a chance at redemption and the opportunity to come home as Big Sky champions Friday, but the Hornets had other intentions.

Portland State (7-9-2, 3-3-1) continued its improved play, out-shooting Sacramento State 14-10. Freshmen forward Frankie Ross led the Vikings with three shot attempts, while three other Vikings recorded two shots. Although Portland State was the more aggressive team, it was unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.

Hornets senior forward Katie McCoy scored the game-winning goal in the 36th minute, beating sophomore goalkeeper Cris Lewis from 10 yards out. It was the 12th time McCoy found the back of the net this season, as she leads the conference in goals scored.

Portland State has little time to mull over the loss. With Northern Colorado’s victory over Northern Arizona Saturday, the Vikings finished fourth in the Big Sky. This final fate means the Vikings will face the No. 1 seed Thursday, in the first round of the Big Sky Tournament. Of course, the No. 1 seed is none other than archrival Sacramento State.

The fact that the Hornets dashed the Vikings’ title hopes two consecutive seasons is meaningless come Thursday, because the teams are playing for a birth in the NCAA College Cup.

Portland State gets a rare, and immediate, opportunity to turn around this past Friday’s defeat to a Hornet team that has been a thorn in their side for two years now. If the Vikings can come out with the same intensity they did Friday, but find a way to capitalize on scoring opportunities, they may be the team ending someone’s season.