Weber State University’s women’s soccer team suffered their first conference defeat of the season, losing 1–0 to Portland State University in Ogden on Oct. 2 despite getting 15 more shots off.
Before the match, fans, friends and family came together at Wildcat Field to celebrate the academic and athletic careers of Weber State’s senior student athletes. Sammie Sofonia, Tenzi Knowles, Ella Sanders, Grace Kirby, Brynlee Meyerhoffer and Sayler Schlosser all received recognition for their time and achievements at the university.
Weber “came out flat” in the first half according to head coach Kyle Christensen. Despite a second half that saw the hosts register 14 shots to Portland’s two, the Vikings were able to hold on to the early lead they took through forward Aliayha Saldana. Portland State goalkeeper Natalie Cunningham made six saves to ensure the clean sheet, influencing the match with her long-range distribution.
Ten minutes in, PSU moved the ball from defense to attack with a string of passes on a counterattack up the middle of the pitch. Viking midfielder Bianca Potesta controlled the ball just outside the Weber State penalty area and played in Saldana, who took a touch down the right side and found the back of the net.
Weber dominated the remainder of the match, but could only come as close as hitting the woodwork on two occasions. Christensen acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but lauded the Wildcat wingers and midfielders.
“I thought we left some opportunities out there. I think we could have done a little better with decision-making in and around the box as well, to create better opportunities. But, overall, it was us all second half and we were just unlucky,” Christensen said. “Our wingers created a lot of success; They were able to get to the end line quite a bit and create a lot. The midfield did a good job of controlling the game when needed as well.”
One such winger was Kirby, who had fans on their feet throughout the match with her dribbling. Unsatisfied, she sees the result as a new beginning.
“This is a good learning opportunity for us,” Kirby said. “We’ve gone 2–0 for the conference season, and to lose gives us a chip on our shoulder; an edge. This will be good for us.”
The Wildcats will next venture north to take on the University of Montana in Missoula on Oct. 9.
