The UND women’s soccer team began its 2013 Big Sky Conference play with a tough two-game road series.

The team dropped a 1-0 decision to Sacramento State on Friday night and fell to Portland State in a similar, 1-0 fashion Sunday afternoon.

Sac State

UND started off slow Friday as Sacramento State took control of the game early, outshooting the Green and White in the first half, 12-1. Hornet freshman, Jennifer Lum, scored the game’s lone goal in the 29th minute.

Coming out of halftime, UND picked up the pace and brought the shot margin to a closer 9-5 spread in favor of Sacramento State.

UND’s Zoe Foster and Courtney Beckwith recorded two shots each, but none were able to find the back of the net.

UND coach, Matt Kellogg, was pleased with the team’s performance in the latter half of the game.

“Today, we played a much better second half and created chances because we played with more purpose and urgency,” Kellogg said.

Even though the team wasn’t able to come out with a win, Kellogg said it was a solid first showing in the Big Sky Conference this year.

“I’m very pleased with the direction this group is headed,” Kellogg said.

Junior goalkeeper Kristi Hestdalen continued to add to her career save record against Sacramento State with eight in the game.

Portland State

The Green and White continued their trip on the West Coast, and headed up to Oregon for a Sunday afternoon contest at Portland State.

Sunday turned out to be a gloomy day as UND played its first game in the rain this season — unable to break through Portland State’s defense.

The only goal of the game was scored by Portland State’s Torie Morris early in the game, during the third minute.

Hestdalen and the UND defense stayed strong for the remainder of the game, not letting offenders through the line.

Hestdalen had 10 saves after allowing the early goal. However, Portland State’s defense proved too strong for the Green and White as they were outshot in the game, 22-2. The two shots on goal for UND both came from redshirt freshman, Kirsten Olson.

North Dakota will return home Friday to host Northern Colorado for a Big Sky Conference matchup Friday at 3 p.m. in Bronson Field.

Allison Moore is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]