The Game
The South Dakota Coyotes make a quick trip to the west coast for a Sunday afternoon game in Hillsboro, Oregon. The Coyotes (0-3) face off against the Portland State Vikings (1-2) in a game scheduled to start at 2:05 pm CT from Hillsboro Stadium.
 
The Series
Sunday's match will be the first ever meeting between South Dakota and Portland State.
 
The Coyotes
USD is in search of its first win of the season after three tough loses to open the season. In their most recent game, the Coyotes were unable to halt a Colorado State storm that overtook the game in eight minutes. USD grabbed the lead first off the first goal of the season for Shaylee Gailus early in the second half. The Rams then went on to score three goals in rapid fashion to take the contest away from the Coyotes.
 
Gailus and Joana Zanin are the two South Dakota players to find the back of the net this season. Ashby Johnston and Taylor Cotter have the two assists on the year.
 
The Vikings
Portland State is off to a 1-2 start on the year following a 4-1 loss to UC Riverside at home last Thursday. In their two loses this season, the Vikings have surrendered four goals in each game. Sophomore Abi Hoffman leads the team with two goals on the year with both of those coming in a 4-1 win over Western Oregon a week ago.
 
PSU is similar to South Dakota in they also return seven starters and lost four in a team that went 4-10-2 in 2021. Senior midfielder Sienna Higinbotham, a 2020 second team all-Big Sky selection, and senior defender Hailey Green are the two key returns to the Viking squad. Higinbotham and Green both played in 16 games last season with Higinbotham scoring three goals on the year.
 
One Last Thing
This is South Dakota's first trip to the state of Oregon in team history. The Coyotes will then come back for a home game on Tuesday before heading back out west for a weekend slate in Utah.