Politixia
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The Portland State women’s soccer team closed out non-conference play with a thrilling 3-2 victory over CSUN on Sunday at the Matador Soccer Field.
Sienna Higinbotham’s 89th-minute goal secured the victory on Sunday, improving their overall record to 3-5-0 while the Matadors fell to 0-9-1. It was the 30th win of Viking head coach Katie Burton‘s career, making her just the second coach in program history to reach the 30-win milestone.
Putting 11 of 14 shots on goal, the Vikings gave themselves numerous opportunities offensively. Higinbotham, who tallied a team-high four shots and her first-career brace, scored the Vikings’ first goal of the day. The fifth-year midfielder netted one in the eighth minute off a double assist from Abi Hoffman and Raniyah Burton to put PSU on top 1-0.
After failing to respond in the first half, the Matadors notched the equalizer in the 53rd minute to knot it at one. Burton struck next for PSU in the 58th minute, striking a ball from Elle Frazier off the hands of the Matador goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
The Matadors leveled things again in the 70th minute thanks to a perfectly placed chip shot over the hands of Viking goalkeeper Natalie Cunningham.
With 1:26 left in the match, Higinbotham delivered the game-winner for Portland State off a deep free kick from Kalo Iongi.
Cunningham secured her third win of the season in goal for the Vikings, recording five saves along the way.
With back-to-back victories this weekend, the Vikings will be confident heading into their Big Sky opener this week. They’ll host Northern Colorado at Hillsboro Stadium on Friday, Sept. 22 (6:00 p.m.).
