CHENEY, Wash. – Following two home matches last weekend, the Eastern Washington University women's soccer team continues Big Sky Conference action this Friday and Sunday as they compete at Portland State on Oct. 8 in Portland Ore., at 11:30 a.m. Pacific time and Sacramento State on Oct. 10 in Sacramento, Calif., at 1 p.m. PT.

HOW TO WATCH: EWU's match versus Portland State will be streamed live on ESPN+ and fans can catch the LIVE STATS HERE.

EWU's match against Sacramento State will also be streamed live on ESPN+ and fans can catch the LIVE STATS HERE.

For more information on how to watch on ESPN+ click HERE. 

A LOOK AT THE EAGLES:

The Eagles currently sit with an overall record of 4-8 and 2-2 in Big Sky Conference play. The squad returns after hosting Southern Utah to a 2-0 shutout victory, and hosted Northern Arizona to a 1-0 deficit, both at the EWU Soccer Field.

Sophomore midfielder Madison Kem carried the Eagles against the Thunderbirds as she scored two goals during 90 minutes of play to collect a total of seven career goals for the EWU program. Kem opened the scoring with a goal from the penalty spot in the 13^th minute and from a counter in the 52^nd minute, in which she only needed one touch on the ball to hit her mark and find the back of the net. On the other end, EWU awarded SUU with a penalty kick of its own in the 47^th minute, however, EWU goalkeeper Kelsee Winston read it perfectly and dove the correct way to block the shot.

In the clash against Northern Arizona, the Eagles fought relentlessly against a fast and athletic Lumberjack side, providing a huge defensive effort led by Winston. The Pasco, Wash., native came up with 10 crucial saves in which six of them them occured in the first half to keep the match scoreless. However, it was a late goal in the 80th minute which provided the Lumberjacks with victory over the Eagles.

Following the two home matches in which the Eagles went 1-1, Winston collected 18 total saves and continues to lead the conference in most saves at 90, and has the third highest save percentage at .841 across 12 competitions. Additionally, she leads the conference in saves per game with an average of eight saves.

The EWU squad has eight different players who have scored at least one goal as Kem leads the charge with three goals to equal six points, with Sariah Keister close behind at two goals and one assist for five points.

Furthermore, the Eagles are ahead of Portland State (1-1-1), Northern Arizona (1-3-0), Southern Utah (0-3-1), Sacramento State (0-3-0) and Idaho State (0-3-0) in the conference standings.

Knowing Your Opponent: Portland State

Portland State is led by head coach Katie Burton who enters her fifth second season at the helm of the Vikings. In the 2021 shortened spring season, the Vikings finished 0-8, scoring just four goals and conceding 24.

Currently, Portland State is 3-6-1 overall and 1-1-1 in league play as they return from a 4-1 loss to Northern Colorado and a 0-0 draw versus Montana, respectively.

The Eagles have an all-time series record of 13-12-2 against PSU with a nine-match unbeaten streak and hold an 8-0-1 record since 2014. Additionally, in the last nine competitions, the Eagles have scored a total of 21 goals and conceded only six. The last time these two programs clashed with one another, Maddie Morgan scored two goals after an early goal from Grace Terrill.

Knowing Your Opponent: Sacramento State

Sacramento State is led by head coach Randy Dedini who enters his 15th season at the helm of the Hornet program, and has brought his squad to two NCAA Tournament appearances and two conference titles. Last spring, in an abnormal 2021 schedule, the Hornets went 3-4-4 overall, collecting a 2-4-2 conference record.

Sac State is currently 1-8-2 overall with an 0-3 league record as the squad returns from a 1-0 deficit at Montana and a 2-0 loss at Northern Colorado.

The Eagles have an all-time series record of 9-12-5 against the Hornets with a three-match unbeaten streak. Additionally, in the last three outings, they have gone into double overtime collecting a 1-0-2 record.

What's Next: Following the two conference away matches, the Eagles return home for three final home matches beginning with Northern Colorado on Oct. 15, Montana on Oct. 17 and Idaho on Oct. 24.

The Eagles face UNC at 3 p.m. Pacific time, UM at 1 p.m. PT and UI at 2 p.m. PT, each played at the EWU Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash.  

All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ and can be followed via live stats on EWUStats.com.

Northern Colorado ESPN+

Montana ESPN+

Idaho ESPN+