Softball Team Enjoys Successful Fall

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2009-10 Northern Colorado schedule

GREELEY, Colo. -- Northern Colorado softball has enjoyed one of the most successful fall seasons in recent history.  The Bears finished up the fall with a 5-1-1 record, highlighted by a dominating performance at the Triple Crown Sports College Classic, where they went 4-0-1.  After several years of struggling against Division I competition, head coach Jennifer Schunke has the team gelling at the right time. 

"I was extremely pleased with the fall.  The chemistry of the team this year is unlike anything I have seen in my previous years.  They are very much a family this year, which I think helped us this fall and will continue to help us in close games." 

The chemistry Schunke described clearly helped the Bears excel in tight games, where they won three one-run affairs, including an 8-7 win against rival Colorado State.  Northern Colorado also won against in-state rivals Adams State, Fort Lewis, Metro State, and the Colorado School of Mines.  Finding a way to win the close ones is the mark of an experienced and mature team, two attributes that Schunke believes the Bears possess.

"The amount of maturity the team showed in every aspect of the game also helped a great deal.  They never quit and continued to strive to get better with each inning.  Also, I have seen strong leadership emerge, which will only continue to help us grow and get better.  [I am] very excited to see what the team can do this spring, being able to compete in a conference this season will be huge for us."

For the first time since moving to Division I, Northern Colorado will be competing in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference alongside the likes of Weber State, Idaho State, and San Diego University among others.  The Bears will look to meet these new challenges armed with the success and experience of this fall and the enthusiasm shown by not only coach Schunke, but the rest of the team.