@UNCBearsSoccer season ends with tourney loss to Lumberjacks

Wednesday, November 2

Cheney, Wash

11:00 AM

University of Northern Colorado

10-8-2

Northern Arizona University

9-7-4

Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

11/2/2016 3:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Thomas Hoffman, uncbears.com

Cheney, Wash - Less than a week after clinching the final seed the 2016 Big Sky Tournament, the Northern Colorado Bears were in Cheney, Washington, Wednesday morning to face the three-seeded Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. It was NAU, however, that bested the Bears, 2-1, advancing themselves into the next round of the Big Sky Tournament.

How it Happened
Only a minute and a half into the game, NAU pressed hard toward the end line in the UNC defending third. Goalkeeper Madeline Burdick made the initial save, but Adrian Nixt's second shot looped over Burdick and into the goal for the early advantage.

Northern Colorado immediatley put the pressure on, however, earning several corner kicks, totaling three throughout the half.

Fifteen minutes after the Lumberjack goal, Northern Colorado pushed forward into the attacking third of the field. Isabella Beal played a gorgeous curling pass that landed on the right foot of Sydney Schroeder, and the senior tucked the ball neatly into the back of the net, tying the game at one.

The final thirty minutes of the half saw plenty of momentum swings in either direction. Northern Colorado saw chances from Pulley and Gutierrez, but couldn't muster the go-ahead goal.

Madeline Burdick made only two saves in the half. Though, on numerous occasions, ventured deep off her line to prevent multiple NAU scoring chances.

The Lumberjacks kicked off the second half in much of the same matter as the first, attacking quickly and putting pressure on Burdick and the Bears' back four.

Twelve minutes in, Anna Goebel, for only the second time this season, pocketed a goal off an assist from Shelbie O'Connor.

Playing from behind once again, the Bears kicked their offense into overdrive, producing several counter attacks. However, none came to fruition.

Madeline Burdick blocked three more shots to keep UNC within striking distance of tying the game.

Unfortunately, for the Bears fans back in Greeley and those on hand in Cheney, the clock struck midnight on the 2016 Season.

Northern Arizona kept the Bears at bay and propelled themselves into the semi-finals of the Big Sky Tournament, facing Sacramento State on Friday.

Key Stat
Shots on Goal – Northern Colorado had four, compared to seven for Northern Arizona.

Most Valuable Bear
Sydney Schroeder – The senior capped of her career by scoring the only goal of the game for the Bears.

In Their Words
Tim Barrera, Head Coach
"Two very evenly matched teams went at it today. In those types of games, certain moments can really swing the momentum either way. Unfortunately, we gave away an early goal and had to chase the game a little bit. Maddie (Chase) and Kassy (Castillo) each had fantastic games. We just couldn't capitalize on any of our chances in the second half."

"I'm very proud of these seniors who have had a tremendous season. It's our first senior class to compete in the conference tournament each of the last four years, which is a tremendous accomplishment in this league."

"This team showed a lot of heart this season. Right down to the game's final moments, they were fighting to get the tying goal. Couldn't ask much more, effort wise, from them."

Notables
-Sydney Schroeder scored her last goal as a Bear, the 11^th of her career.
-Madeline Burdick returned to the field after sitting out the last three games due to illness.
-The Bears Senior Class remains the only senior class to appear in every conference tournament while they were at UNC.
-Isabella Beal notched her first career assist.
-The Bears finish with a final record of 10-8-2.
-Alyssa McGuire will end her career at UNC, haven never been beaten (2-0-1).