Keeping the nets clean

Sophomore goalkeeper Cris Lewis recorded her second and third consecutive shutouts for the Vikings (5-6-2, 1-0-1 Big Sky) this weekend at PGE Park as they blanked the Idaho State Bengals 1-0 and tied the Weber State Wildcats 0-0 in two overtimes.

But the Viking who shined the brightest under the bright lights of PGE Park was forward Krysta Whiteaker.

Whiteaker, a freshman from Covington, Wash., came off the bench and knocked in a goal to energize a stagnant Viking attack that seemed unsure of itself for much of the first half against the Bengals (5-4-4, 0-1-1 Big Sky) Friday night.

“It was weird,” said Portland State head coach Tim Bennett. “They were kind of feeling each other out. It’s hard to describe what was really going on, but the goal came at a good time.”

The goal came in the 33rd minute when sophomore forward Dolly Ennecking notched her team leading fifth assist, placing a perfect pass out in front of a streaking Whiteaker. Whiteaker used her speed to separate herself from three Idaho State defenders and broke free just in time to slip the ball past the charging keeper for the game-winning goal.

“I saw that I had a one-on-one with the goalie, so I just toe-poked it by her into the net,” Whiteaker said after scoring the first goal of her Viking career.

The setting for Whiteaker’s break-out game couldn’t have been much better. It was the first true home game for the Vikings, playing a rare night game at PGE Park, and it was the team’s first Big Sky Conference match of the season.

“It was an amazing feeling,” Whiteaker said. “I had so much energy afterwards, it felt great.”

Whiteaker’s free-wheeling style of play is entertaining to watch and frustrating to opponents who get in the way of the 5-foot-8 freshman when she’s chasing down the ball.

“Krysta’s still working back from a concussion, but she plays with a reckless abandon, which she picked two fouls up because of, but that’s also her strength. She plays hard no matter what,” Bennett said.

Sunday versus Weber State (4-6-2, 0-1-1) the Vikings came out much more aggressive but were unable to convert any of that energy into points.

“It was a typical Big Sky game.” Bennett said. “Weber State is a very organized team and they don’t give up a lot of goals. We were the more dangerous team, but we just couldn’t finish. Overall, to come out of the first weekend undefeated is always a good thing.”

Ennecking, senior defender Juli Edwards, and junior forward Sarah Smart led the Vikings with three shot attempts a piece on the day. The Vikings 15-14 advantage in shots was the second time this season Portland State has out-shot an opponent.

Portland State keeper Lewis stopped four shots, extending her scoreless streak to 318:52 minutes. The shutout was Lewis’ fifth in her short two-season career as a member of the Vikings, and as a result she was awarded Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.

Primetime performer

Krysta Whiteaker Forward, #21Covington, Wash.

Vs. Weber State 1 shot1 shot on goal

Vs. Idaho State1 goal 2 shots 1 shots on goal