The Portland State women’s soccer team defeated the North Dakota team 1-0 on Sept. 29, leading them into their second victory in a row. The Vikings (5-4-1, 2-0-0 Big Sky) scored their first shot on goal during the third minute against North Dakota (1-10-1, 0-2-0 Big Sky).
Sophomore Torrie Morris’ game-winning goal gave the Vikings the advantage early in the game. Following Morris’ lead, the Vikings outshot North Dakota 22-2 overall, with 11 shots on goal.
Morris, a center defender for the Vikings, went up field after a foul gave PSU a free kick. From just outside of the 18-yard box in the right corner, sophomore Forward Lynsey Gaines took the penalty kick and sent the ball into the mix in the 18-yard box. After a deflection by North Dakota’s goalkeeper, Morris was quickly on top of the rebound to send it into the back of the net, scoring her first goal of the season.
With 11 total shots on goal for PSU on Sunday, North Dakota’s goalkeeper had a rough day to keep the lead to a single goal, and her defense to thank. “North Dakota’s defense was dropping back, and we had trouble breaking them down,” said PSU Head Coach Laura Schott. “It was our second game of the weekend, and the early goal was enough to win.” The Vikings matched up against Northern Colorado on Thursday with a 3-1 victory.
The Vikings are now 2-0-0 in the Big Sky, with 6 points in conference play.
Having two straight wins under their boots, they will set out on the road this week for Big Sky Conference play. First they will play against the Eastern Washington Eagles (2-9-0,0-2-0 Big Sky), who have lost their last two games and are currently 0-3 at home for the season. Next they will face up against the Montana Grizzlies (3-4-4, 0-1-1 Big Sky), who have also not won their last two games, and have not won a match on their home field this season.
The Viking’s game against Eastern Washington will be on Friday, October 4 at 4 p.m. (PT), followed by the match against the Montana Grizzlies on Sunday, October 6 at 11 a.m. (PT).
