Successful season ends in first round

The season ended Friday for Portland State soccer with a 2-1 loss to regular-season and Big Sky tournament champion Sacramento State.

The defeat marks the second-consecutive season that has closed with a loss to the Hornets, who have a four-match winning streak over Portland State. Although the Vikings were disappointed, the progress made and experience gained in 2007 should make the 2008 squad one of the Big Sky’s most dangerous.

“We made a lot of steps in the right direction,” said head coach Tim Bennett. “I’m happy with the development and improvement we made throughout the season.”

The Vikings’ appearance in the Big Sky Tournament this weekend was their first since 2004, as well as the first since Bennett took over the program in 2005. Last season, the Vikings finished fifth in the Big Sky, going 4-3-0 in conference play, 4-13-1 overall, and were left out of the conference tournament only after suffering a loss in the season finale to Sacramento State.

The improvement was drastic this season. The Vikings improved to 7-10-2 overall and finished 3-3-1 in the Big Sky, enough for fourth place and a birth in the conference tournament.

“We outplayed them and were clearly the better team on the field, just not on the scoreboard,” Bennett said of the semi-final loss to Sacramento State. “It was tough, though. It was our fourth weekend in a row going on the road and we had four kids taking midterms three hours before the game. I think that played a little bit of a role.”

Portland State surprised a lot of teams with its youth a year ago, but this season teams knew a match with the Vikings was guaranteed to be a battle. Had the ball bounced a couple different ways, Portland State could have finished 7-0 or 6-1 in the Big Sky.

As proof of the team’s progress, Big Sky coaches recognized five Portland State players for their efforts.

Senior defender Juli Edwards led the way, earning her third consecutive first-team selection (a unanimous vote by the coaches), and her second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. Sophomore forward Dolly Ennecking was selected to the All-Big Sky second team after scoring three goals and leading the team with six assists.

“Juli was clearly the best defensive player in the conference again, and Dolly, that’s a huge sign of respect that they recognized everything she does for us,” Bennett said.

Sophomore goalkeeper Cris Lewis was named honorable mention All-Big Sky, as were sophomore midfielder Nathalie Wollman and freshman midfielder Frankie Ross.

Bennett was happy with the accolades the team received, but was surprised that junior defender Laura Ellison was not recognized for her strong defensive play and three assists.

The off-season begins immediately for the Vikings, who only lose one player to graduation in Edwards, but the void she will leave may be the biggest of any in the Big Sky. As a team, the Vikings will have to step up and take on more individual responsibility to replace Edward’s veteran experience and leadership.

“Nathalie [Wollman] and Cris [Lewis] are our captains, so they’ll continue to lead us,” Bennett said. “I also expect Dolly [Ennecking] to step-up, and probably Suzanne [Hinton].”

The Vikings will be tested early in 2008, during a spring break trip to Argentina where they will play four games.