It Only Takes One Kick: Women’s Soccer Loss at Portland State

Kenzie Jones, Sports Editor, @kenziescribbler

Utah Valley University Women’s Soccer took the field against Portland State in Friday’s 2014 season opener at Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro, Oregon.

In the 13th minute after a foul was whistled just inside the top of the box, Portland converted on a penalty kick that served as the only goal of the game. Freshman Mackenzie Bean placed the kick in the lower right corner just out of reach of UVU’s goalkeeper Jessica Duffin. Making the score 1-0 Portland.

The lady Wolverines looked a bit tentative to start the match and the early penalty kick didn’t help the team’s sprits much. Even after looking like they had found better possession in the second half the team wasn’t able to generate much of an attack resulting in the one score game.

Even after a valiant effort by the defense with Duffin recording six saves as the Vikings’ attack manifested 20 shots overall with eight coming on goal. The Wolverines just couldn’t rally an offensive move to save the game. The night ended with Portland’s victory over Utah Valley, final score being 1-0.

This games made did make some history with Portland’s win extending the team’s unbeaten streak to 14 games and setting a new Big Sky Conference record. The Vikings broke Weber State’s 16-year record of 13 during the 1998 season.

Utah Valley will now face Drake on Sunday, August 24th, at 10:00am PT/11:00am MT.