Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Portland State
Wildcats Cruise Back Into First, Downing PSU
10/23/2008 6:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
OGDEN, Utah -- The Weber State women's soccer team (7-7-2 overall; 4-1-0) succeeded in defending its home turf and jumped back into first place in the Big Sky with a 2-0 win over Portland State (4-10-3; 3-1-1) on Thursday at Wildcat Soccer Field.
The 'Cats, who were surpassed for the conference lead last weekend after falling to Northern Colorado on the road, jumped on the Vikings with early offensive pressure. The Wildcats out-shot their opponent 12-5 in the first half, and finished the match with a 20-10 advantage.
In the 13th minute, Portland State goalkeeper Cris Lewis slipped on a goal kick attempt. The slip caused her to top the ball, sending a grounder out into the midfield. WSU senior forward Whitney Smith outraced a trio of Viking defenders to the ball and was in for a one-on-one with Lewis. Smith beat the keeper with a shot to the post, putting the 'Cats on the board first.
The Wildcats held the level of pressure up and limited the Viking chances for an equalizer. After several good scoring chances went uncapitalized on, the Wildcats finally got an insurance goal in the 83rd minute. Sophomore midfielder Abby Robinson took the ball up the right wing, drawing the Viking defense. She then found freshman midfielder Collette Simmons making a middle run. Robinson placed a through ball to the feet of Simmons, who beat Lewis in another one-on-one situation.
Junior goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie posted six saves to preserve the shutout for her sixth clean sheet of the season and her third in conference play. In the 83rd minute, the Vikings nearly cut the lead in half as a shot from Frankie Ross got by a diving Ritchie, but hit the post and went wide.
Lewis recorded eight saves for Portland State to keep the Vikings within striking distance for most of the match.
The win gives the Wildcats 12 points atop the league table, now two points ahead of Portland State. The 'Cats will remain at home for the final two matches of the Big Sky regular season schedule. Sacramento State will visit Ogden on Saturday, Oct. 23 and Idaho State comes to town on Nov. 1. Both matches will kick off at 11:00 a.m. The team travels to Provo, Utah for a non-conference match against Brigham Young on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7:00 p.m.
