@UNCBearsSoccer suffers another loss at home

Sunday, October 16

Greeley, CO

12 pm

University of Northern Colorado

8-7-1, 3-4-0

Sacramento State

6-6-4, 4-2-2

Sacramento State

Northern Colorado

10/16/2016 3:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Thomas Hoffman, uncbears.com

Greeley, Colo – Northern Colorado Women's Soccer hosted their fourth of a four game home stand at Jackson Stadium as they took on Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon. For the second time in as many games, the Bears were unable to defend their home turf, falling 1-0 to the Hornets.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Sacramento State came out as the aggressor in the first half, totaling 11 shots, five of them on goal.

Paige Morris and Brooke Braden tried to turn the momentum in favor of the Bears, each testing the Hornet net minder early and often. Destiny Butcher would stand her ground, though, turning aside each of the Bear's offensive attacks.

Twenty six minutes into the game, Sacramento State earned a throw-in in the Northern Colorado defensive third. Jennifer Lum corralled the pass, wiggled through a couple of Bear defenders and then launched a shot from deep outside the box that trickled into the bottom left corner of the net.

After the initiation 45 minutes, the Bears had once again dug themselves into a single goal deficit.

In the second half, however, Sacramento State had seamed to stoke the fire underneath the Northern Colorado offense.

Kassy Castillo, Mariel Gutierrez, Paige Morris, Sydney Schroeder, Brooke Braden and the whole host of Bears took turns taking shots toward the Sacramento State goal.

At the 59^th minute, Sydney Schroeder broke away with a one-on-one opportunity. Destiny Butcher came way out of the penalty box, clipped Schroeder mid-air and received a red card for her efforts, forcing the Hornets to play with 10 players the rest of the match.

With momentum and numbers, the Bears looked to test the young back-up, Kaylyn Evans, in the remaining 31 minutes.

By game's end, the Bears finished with 21 shots, 16 in the second half alone. Unfortunately, for the Bears and the faithful fans on-hand at Jackson, UNC wasn't able to capiltalize on the the opportunities.

With the loss, Northern Colorado fell for the second straight time at home, but also missed on an opportunity to slide up to third in the conference standings.

KEY STAT
Shots on goal – Despite forcing up 21 shots on the day, the Bears only had six of those shots on target.

MOST VALUABLE BEAR
Madeline Chase – The senior defender played an outstanding game, clearing away potential risky scenarios.

IN THEIR WORDS
Sydney Schroeder, senior forward
"We just didn't come out ready to play in the first half. They were able to capitalize on one of their better opportunities and hold on for the rest of the game."

"I think we easily could have had one or two in the back of the net had we been a little bit more aggressive in the box."
"We definitely need to win these next two. As a senior, along with Kassy (Castillo), Paige (Morris), Stephanie Scarcello and Maddie (Chase), we don't want to end our careers on a sour note."

Tim Barrera, Head Coach
"I think they definitely left it all out there. From an overall effort standpoint, I don't think you could be upset. It just comes down to execution. We were a little tight in some areas, panicked a little and weren't able to finish."

"Being up a player, you have to put more pressure on the opposing team, especially a back-up goalkeeper. Credit to her, though, she made a couple of really good saves."

NOTABLES
-Brooke Braden had a career high seven shots.
-Kenzie Engelkins saw ample playing time for the third consecutive game.
-Twenty-one shots ties a season high for the Bears (Oct. 2 @ Idaho State).

UP NEXT
The Bears will head to Cheney, Washington, on Friday for the first of a two-game road trip that also includes a stop in Missoula against Montana State. They'll return home on October 28 for their final home game of season versus North Dakota.