News

http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128094603617135300

Portland State opened women's soccer practice on Wednesday in defense of the Big Sky Conference regular-season championship.

Third-year coach Laura Schott has 28 players on hand at Peter W. Stott Community Field and will have an open tryout Friday for walk-on candidates.

"This year's team will have both depth and talent, which will bring a tough and competitive atmosphere to practice day-in and day-out," Schott says.

Six juniors will join senior Rachel Jarvis, a fifth-year goalkeeper, defender Emily Rhode and forward-midfielder Frankie Ross as the team's nucleus. Ross is the team's top returning scorer. She had three goals and three assists in 20 games a year ago, as the Viks went 10-6-4 overall and 4-1-2 in the Big Sky.

The Viking defense remains nearly intact, with three of four defenders returning.

In goal, Jarvis will battle sophomores Lainey Hulsizer and Kenisha Macklin.

The season starts at rival University of Portland on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.

It will be the first meeting between the teams since Sept. 23, 2007, when the third-ranked Pilots won 7-0.