Portland State soccer finds a win in the Big Sky

The Portland State soccer team saw the clouds part in the Big Sky when it finally won a game in conference play. After a toss-up, two-game weekend, the Vikings are hoping to claim another win this coming Friday against the University of Montana Grizzlies.

With a 2-2 conference record, after losing 1-2 to Northern Arizona, the Grizzlies know what it takes to win or lose in the Big Sky. Led by forward Linday Winans, the team stands at 6-8-2 on the season. Winans has five goals and one assist for the season. University of Montana needs a victory against PSU to regain a winning Big Sky record.

On Friday, the Vikings women faced off against the Idaho State Bengals with no success. The Bengals took an early lead when Heather Jones knocked one in at 15:25 in the first half. Jones’ shot was a 12-yard bomb to the top left corner. The Bengals walked away with their second win in the Big Sky, leaving them with a 2-2-0 record in the conference and 6-8-1 on the whole.

However, the Vikings did not go down without a fight. In the second half, Portland State fired up and played with an aggressive desire to win. Viking Annie Peccia livened things up when she was red-carded for a hard tackle against Idaho’s Heather Arnell. Despite seven shots-on-goal in the second half, Portland State never recovered.

Because of her red card, Peccia was forced to sit the bench during Sunday’s game against the Weber State Wildcats, but her no-mercy will to win carried out onto the field anyway. The women battled Weber State to its first loss in the Big Sky, giving themselves their first win in the conference.

The only goal to be scored in Sunday’s game came during overtime. At 92:57, Portland State’s Karley Larsen hit one in from inside the box to the right post. Assisting Larson in her second goal for the season was freshman forward Sophia Mundy. The Vikings outshot the Wildcats 12-4, with seven on goal. It was a much-needed win that broke five strait games without victory for the Viks. PSU now stands at 1-3-1 in conference play and 6-9-1 on the season.

The girls will play in Missoula, Mont., this week. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. on Halloween. If Portland State continues to play with a winning aggression, there is no doubt it will take the win in Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.