CHENEY, Wash. – The Eastern Washington University women's soccer team continues to fight from the top of the Big Sky Conference standings, as league play continues this weekend with a pair of road matches. Eastern starts the stretch at Portland State on Friday, Sept. 30 starting at 1 p.m. Pacific Time, and concludes with Sacramento State on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12 p.m.
This weekend holds early Big Sky implications with Portland State searching for its first conference victory of the season after starting out 0-2-0, while EWU looks to remain undefeated in the conference and maintain its first place standing. The Eagles will also get a chance for revenge after they fell to the Hornets, 3-1, in the quarterfinals of the Big Sky Championship last season.
Eastern had a successful return home last week's games, defeating Idaho State in a 3-0 shutout and taking down the defending Big Sky Champions Idaho, 2-1 in overtime.
All-Time Series
Portland State: Conference foe PSU has faced off against EWU 19 times in program history, holding a 12-6-1 record over Eastern. Last matchup, the Eagles snapped a five-game losing streak at the hands of the Vikings with a 1-0 victory at home on Oct. 4, 2015.
Sacramento State: EWU has fared better against CSUS with a 7-10-2 record against the Hornets. The teams split their two matchups last season, with the Eagles taking the 3-1 win in the first match on Oct. 2, 2015, and Sacramento State getting the 1-3 victory on Nov. 5.
Last Time Out
Eastern was holding onto a 1-0 lead over Idaho into the 86th minute, until penalty kick from UI's Elexis Schlossarek tied the match 1-1, eventually sending the contest into overtime.
With the clock winding down into the final minute of the first overtime period, it looked as if the fans would be treated with another period of action until Chloe Williams received the ball. She drove from the right side of the pitch on Vandal territory into the 18-yard box and drew a foul from the Idaho defender. EWU was awarded the penalty kick and Williams was taking the shot. She drove home the goal past the outstretched gloves of the Idaho goalkeeper, pushing the Eagles to a 2-1 nail-biting victory.
Top Drawer National Team of the Week
Because of her game-winning goal just 49 seconds into the match against Idaho State and her game-winning penalty kick in overtime, Chloe Williams was selected to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week. Amongst her other peers on the team of the week are players from UCLA, Auburn, Vanderbilt, and the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, Arielle Ship from California.
Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week
Senior goalkeeper Mallory Taylor was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, Sept. 27, after allowing only one goal in the two Big Sky wins last week. In her first game back from injury, Taylor recorded a shutout against ISU while collecting four saves. It took a penalty kick in the 86th minute from Idaho in the second game to eliminate her shot at two shutouts. Taylor was holding on to a season-best 236-minute scoreless streak. This is the second time she has won the award in her career.
Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week
Eastern swept the conference awards this week, as Chloe Williams took home her second Offensive Player of the Week of the season. Williams scored two goals on 13 shots in two games. Her goal against Idaho was a significant one, as it tied her for the EWU all-time career goals record at 24.
Nation's Best
Against Idaho State, junior Aimie Inthoulay added two more assists to her season total, keeping her as the national leader in assists and assists per game with nine and .90.
Overtime Success
The Eagles have shown the ability to come through in the clutch this season, holding a 3-0-1 record in overtime games. Chloe Williams has recorded the game-winner in two of the contests, while freshman Saige Lyons hit the golden goal in the 104th minute in the 3-2 win at UC Davis.
Knowing Your Opponent: Portland State
The Vikings currently own a 2-8-0 record and have started Big Sky play 0-2-0. Their two wins were against Nevada and Colorado State. PSU opened up its BSC schedule against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah last week, losing both matches in a close, overtime finish. Last season Portland State finished 5-13-0 and 3-7-0 in conference. The head coach, Laura Schott is entering her ninth year with the program and holds a 69-73-2 record.
The Vikings return six starters to the team, including senior Aurora Bodenhamer who led the team in points last season. This year junior Katie Forsee and sophomore Morgan Matthews each lead the team with seven points on three goals.
Knowing Your Opponent: Sacramento State
The Hornets have a 3-4-3 record this season and have started off 1-0-1 in the Big Sky. CSUS also played Southern Utah and Northern Arizona last week, defeating the Thunderbirds 2-0 on Friday and tying with NAU 1-1 on Sunday. Last year, Sacramento State finished 8-12-0 and 5-5-0 in the BSC, concluding the season with a 3-1 loss to Northern Colorado in the semifinals of the Big Sky Championship. Head coach Randy Dedini is in their 10th season with CSUS, holding a 76-80-24 record.
Junior Kayla Collins leads the team in points and goals with seven and three, while senior Adaurie Dayak leads the team in assists with three.
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