@UNCBearsSoccer Plays to Scoreless Tie Against Montana

Friday, October 20

Greeley, Colo.

6:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

10-6-1

University of Montana

9-6-3

OT 3

OT 4

Montana

Northern Colorado

10/20/2017 9:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Race for Big Sky Tournament Tightens for the Bears

By: By: Charlie Snelson

GREELEY, Colo. -Northern Colorado and Montana played to a 0-0 tie after two overtime halves Friday evening at Jackson Stadium, further tightening the race for the Big Sky Tournament which currently has both teams in the running. The draw Friday keeps Montana in third place in front of UNC for the moment with a record of (9-6-1, 4-2-2 Big Sky) while the Bears stand at (10-6-1, 4-3-1 Big Sky), putting them alone in fourth place.

The first half featured few scoring chances for either team but the action picked up slightly in the second half and overtime periods. Northern Colorado Goalkeeper Madeline Burdick made saves on all eight Montana shots on goal and Grizzlies goalkeeper Claire Howard was strong as well, making a pair of saves.

"I definitely think that we played hard against a good team today," said Bears senior forward Brooke Braden. "It stinks that we weren't able to come out with a win but I think (this game) helps us going forward. We knew they were going to be very on the ball and that our best chance would be to get the ball out wide to create scoring chances. We weren't able to do that as much as we'd like so credit to their (Montana's) defense."

Offensively, Braden helped the Bears with two shot attempts and 89 minutes played. The Bears were led in the shot attempts category by Mariel Gutierrez who had four, one on goal to go with her 110 minutes played. As a team the Bears were out-shot by Montana 16-7, but each team had opportunities to score in overtime.

"We knew that (Montana) was going to be dangerous, " said head coach Tim Barrera. "They are a well coached team with some good players. They spread us out and we chased them a little bit in the first half. We changed things defensively in the second half to challenge their front line. Madeline Burdick held things down in goal too and overall it was a good team effort. There's going to be a whole lot of teams right in the middle (of the standings) so a tie gets us a point and a little bit closer to securing a spot in the Big Sky Tournament. Portland State next is going to be excited to get a win so we have to go in and be ready to go. They have a synthetic field which will be a little different for our players but I know we'll be ready to play hard."

The Bears remaining schedule is on the road. They play Portland State first on Sunday at 2:00 pm, then travel to North Dakota to finish the regular season on October 27th. The Bears are looking to first make the Big Sky Tournament as they did a season ago, then advance past their first round opponent.

"We know that we can make the Big Sky Tournament if we can get one more win, so our goal is to go into Portland State and do the best we can, said Bears forward Mariel Gutierrez. "It's important to keep taking things day by day even late in the season. It's always great to play at home in front of our fans who are always out here cheering for us. We have the motto of saying we don't lose at home. We just have to keep focusing on our own game. That is how we will continue to be successful.

Friday's match was played in front of a crowd of 288.