@UNCBearsSoccer Pushes Past Portland State

Sunday, October 18

Portland, Ore.

2:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

11-6-0, 6-1-0BSC

Portland State

5-11-0, 3-5-0BSC

Northern Colorado

Portland State

Photo by: Ed Navarro

10/18/2015 4:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Northern Colorado picks up another Big Sky win, defeating PSU, 1-0

Portland, Oregon - The women's soccer team secured second-place status in the Big Sky Conference Sunday, defeating the Portland State Vikings, 1-0.

The last time the Bears defeated the Vikings in Portland was back in 2011, the same year that UNC hosted the Big Sky Championships for the first time.

"The team fought hard and played well," head coach Tim Barrera said. "It was a very back and forth game with us scoring late in the first half."

Although it took the Northern Colorado squad over 17 minutes to take their first shot of the game, they proceded to dominate the remainder of the first period, taking six shots (three on goal) compared to the PSU four shots with one on goal.

The Bears charged forward in the last three minutes of the half, starting with a header from Carolyn Cox going wide left. Jacqui Pulley made another attempt not a minute later, but the Viking goalkeeper made a close save.

The UNC defense helped keep the ball forward, allowing for another shot on goal for Mariel Gutierrez with fifteen seconds left on the clock. Despite a PSU save, Kassy Castillo managed a rebound pass to Gutierrez, who shot the ball from the left post straight into the back of the net to put the Bears up 1-0 to go into halftime.

In the second half, the Bears' offense did not take any shots on goal, but the UNC defense kept the Vikings at bay, with Kaitlin Ruff picking up two quick saves to start the period. Ruff would add another three to her game total of six before the clock hit 90:00.

Despite their attempts, the PSU team was unable to get on the board, keeping the Bear lead at 1-0 for the remainder of regulation.

Overall, the Bears took only seven shots to the Vikings' twelve, landing only three on goal compared to six. UNC also had five fewer corner kicks than Portland State, but still picked up the win to move to 6-1 in Big Sky play this season.

"We had our chances in the second half, but ultimately we defended well and really got through the rest of the game. We'll take the win and head back home to prepare for next weekend."

Next weekend, Northern Colorado returns to Greeley, where they'll close out their regular season home schedule, playing Eastern Washington [10/23 7PM] and Idaho [10/25 1PM] in what could be the games that decide the regular season champions (host of Big Sky Tournament).

For more information on the Bears this season, check out UNCBears.com, visit the official Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter at @UNCBearsSoccer.