HILLSBORO, Ore. – It was a tough night for the Portland State women’s soccer team as they lost 4-0 to CSUN at Hillsboro Stadium. Playing with only 10 players for over 65 minutes made the challenge even harder.
Both teams were eager for their second win of the season. However, in the 25th minute, disaster struck for the Vikings when senior defender Liv Frazier received a red card for stopping a Matadors’ scoring chance. This left Portland State shorthanded for the rest of the match.
Despite the score, Viking goalkeeper Natalie Cunningham put on a remarkable show. She faced 23 shots, with 15 on target, and made 10 saves—tying her personal best. After the red card, she even stopped a penalty kick that could have widened the gap.
CSUN took the lead early, scoring in the 19th minute. They managed to add a second goal just before halftime, followed by two more in the second half. Although the Vikings ramped up their efforts, taking eight out of their 12 shots after halftime, they couldn’t find the back of the net.
Looking ahead, Portland State will wrap up their four-match homestand next weekend. They are set to face the University of Portland at Hillsboro Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Statistics show that red cards can significantly impact a game. According to a recent study, teams that play with fewer players tend to lose around 60% of the time. This makes the Vikings’ effort to hold CSUN at bay even more commendable.
Social media reactions highlighted fans’ support for Cunningham, praising her remarkable performance despite the tough loss. Many noted that with a little more teamwork and coordination, the Vikings could come back stronger in their next match.
