Women’s soccer preview

After a weekend sweep that put them on top of the Big Sky in non-conference wins, Portland State begins their quest for the 2009 Big Sky Championship at home today against the Northern Colorado Bears and Sunday at Northern Arizona.

Records entering the games:

Portland State comes off a two-game winning streak after defeating Utah Valley 2-0 and Gonzaga 2-1. Northern Colorado comes off a 1-0 loss Sunday against Wyoming. In their last four matches, the Bears are 1-3-0 and haven’t tasted victory since Sept. 27.

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, defending Big Sky Champions, enter conference play with a record of 5-5-1. They have won four of their last five matches.

Last year’s meetings: Last season, Portland State opened up conference play at Northern Colorado and defeated the Bears, 2-1. Northern Arizona was the only team the Viks played twice last season, and they tied 0-0 with the Lumberjacks in Portland, then fell to them in the semifinals of the Big Sky Tournament in Ogden, Utah, 1-0.

Scouting the Bears:

Freshman Danielle Birdsall is the leading scorer for Northern Colorado with three goals, two of which have been game-winners. In the net, Kirsten Salminen has made nine appearances this year and given up 10 goals.

Scouting the Lumberjacks:

Lauren Zallis leads Northern Arizona with four goals in 10 games this season. In the net, the Jacks have used three different keepers led by Tori Rocke, who has seven starts. The trio has allowed a combined 19 goals and earned two shutouts.

Scouting the Vikings:

The Viks have not lost a conference opener since 2001 and have a 7-3-2 record in their openers. Portland State leads the Big Sky in four categories: two in team rankings and two on the individual level.

Senior Dolly Enneking has accounted for five of her seven goals this season in the last seven matches. In her three career matches versus Northern Colorado, she has scored a total of four goals and the game winner in each match.

Vikings head coach Laura Schott insists, “The team we play this year is very different than the team of three years ago. Tim [Barrera] and his players have done a very good job at UNC. Our team is very different than PSU teams of the past also. Bottom line, I suppose, is that stats from past years won’t win the game Friday. We’ve got to win it from 5 to 7 p.m.”