BOX SCORE

GREELEY, Colo. -- Northern Colorado soccer earned its first win on Friday night after a hard fought 90 minutes against Western Michigan. The 1-0 win puts the Bears at 1-1-0 for the season going into Sunday's game.

The game went back and forth in the first half with sophomore Kirstin Salminen recording two saves in the first six minutes of the game and helping to keep the score tied up at 0-0 until the 37^th minute of the game.

Freshman Danielle Birdsall came off the bench and ten minutes later beat the Broncos defenders to get to Western Michigan goalkeeper Julia Francy. Birdsall then found the net at 37:27 recording her first goal of the season and putting the score at 1-0 for the Bears.

"Danielle gives us a spark off of the bench," said head coach Tim Barrera, "She is one of the fastest players on the team and really gets it going for us."

The Bears held the Broncos to 1-0 going into the half outshooting the Broncos 9-4 in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half the Broncos outshot Northern Colorado but  only making it on goal once with a shot from Stephanie Skowneski resulting in a midair grab from Salminen ensuring the victory for the Bears.

"Kirstin did a nice job for us today," said Barrera, "With such a young team it is exciting to get that first win."

Northern Colorado will now wrap up the season opening homestand and face Hartford at noon on Sunday at Jackson stadium.