Vikings take momentum of weekend wins into playoffs
The Portland State soccer team gained two wins and some momentum to carry into the playoffs this weekend. Last Wednesday, the Vikings extinguished Western Oregon University, 2-1, in a sluggish performance. Then on Sunday, in the last home outing, they blasted Northern Arizona University, 5-1.
“We just didn’t play well and didn’t play together (against Western),” midfielder Annie Peccia said.
On Wednesday, it was Division II Western Oregon giving a scare to Portland State at PGE Park. For the majority of the contest, both teams played evenly, staying tied for most of the game. In the first half, the Vikings got on the board quickly, five minutes into the half. Katie Miyake gave the assist to teammate Megan Plinski to go up 1-0.
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In the second half, the Vikings turned up the intensity, becoming more aggressive. With about eight minutes left in the game, Carly Sawhill took a cross pass from Julie Forrest and put it past Western goalkeeper Moani Mundo for her first goal of the season. The Vikings went up 2-1 and held on for the victory.
On Sunday, the Vikings were ready to battle in their last conference game of the regular season. Peccia converted on a corner kick early in the game for a 1-0 lead. Not long after, Katie Miyake scored one of her three goals for the afternoon to give a 2-0 cushion to Portland State.
“We worked on mixing it up and finished on our opportunities,” Peccia said.
However, about 25 minutes into the half, Brandy Johnson of NAU scored on a breakaway to cut the margin 2-1. About 15 minutes later, Miyake scored again to go up 3-1 at halftime.
In the second half, it was more offense from Portland State. Freshman Jordan Bishop, making her first start of the season, scored early in the second half. Miyake then followed at the 47:03 mark with her third goal of the game and her first career hat trick. Plinski had three assists for the afternoon to tie a school record of nine total for the season.
“A 5-1 victory gives us confidence going into the playoffs,” Peccia said.
The Vikings led 5-1 and cruised to victory with their 12th win of the season.
With the win, the Vikings became the most improved team in Division I women’s soccer for 2002. Last season, the Vikings had only one win. This year’s 12 makes the 11-game turnaround the best in the nation.
The Vikings next play Thursday against No. 2-ranked Montana in game one of the playoffs at 11 a.m. in Pocatello, Idaho. The winner of the game goes to the championship match and plays the winner of Idaho State vs. Eastern Washington. The Big Sky champion gets an automatic berth into the NCAA Championship Tournament.
