Big Sky Tourney kicks off with @UNCBearsSoccer and Sacramento St.

Wednesday, November 1

Cheney, Wash.

11:05 am

University of Northern Colorado

Sacramento State

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

10/30/2017 12:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Bears Have Made the Tournament Five Straight Seasons

By: By: Charlie Snelson

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CHENEY, Wash. -Following a tie against North Dakota to end the regular season, the Bears have officially clinched the third seed in the Big Sky Tournament, which begins November 1^st.

With number one-seeded Eastern Washington and two-seeded Montana earning first-round byes, Northern Colorado will match up against Sacramento State.

In the first meeting between the Hornets and the Bears this season, UNC came away with a 1-0 victory in a game played at Hornet Field. The Bears scored the game's only goal in the 14^th minute, when Maddie Roberts crossed a pass for Brooke Braden. The game's possession was largely in favor of Sacramento State and the Hornets led in shot attempts 14-4. Two-time Big Sky defensive player of the week Madeline Burdick made six saves to grab the shutout.

Since losing to the Bears, Sacramento State has Big Sky wins over Idaho State (6-3) and Southern Utah (4-0). They also tied Northern Arizona (1-1). The Hornets went 6-2-2 (2^nd) in the Big Sky in 2016 and fell in their first match to Northern Arizona 3-2.

Scouting the Hornets (8-7-4, 3-3-4 Big Sky): Sacramento State clinched their berth into the Big Sky Tournament on the final day of the regular season, tying Northern Arizona at home 1-1 Friday night. It is the second time in program history the women's team had advanced to three straight postseasons (2005-2007).

The Hornets are led in goals and points by forward Kylee Kim-Bustillos, who has 11 and 26 respectively in those two categories. Bustillos's 11 goals is good for 5^th all-time for Sacramento State in the single season scoring records. As a team, the Hornet average 1.47 goals per game and attempt 14.5 shots per game. Three players have more than ten points with Kim Butillos, Andrea Boehm (12), and Caitlin Prothe (11).

Goalkeeping has been held down primarily by Aaliyah Fesili. The freshman netminder has 15 games played (14 games started) and has allowed 12 goals with five shutouts. Head Coach Randy Dedini is in his 11^th season having been named Big Sky coach of the year on three separate occasions. Under Dedini, the Hornets have made the NCAA Tournament twice and have two conference titles.

Scouting the Bears (11-6-2, 5-3-2 Big Sky): Junior midfielder Mariel Gutierrez finished the regular season tied for third in the conference in points with 22. Her eight goals are good for sixth in the Big Sky. In her appearance, Gutierrez scored both the Bears goals against Portland State, helping UNC win 2-0.

It was another strong campaign for senior goalkeeper Madeline Burdick this fall. Burdick finished 2^nd in the conference in save percentage (.873) and goals against average (0.76), but her biggest accomplishment was setting the new school record for shutouts in a season with 9, eclipsing the previous record seven.

Aside from Gutierrez and Burdick, Brooke Braden had 15 points and five goals in the regular season and Maddie Roberts recorded 12 points with six assists. Defensively, Erica Estes and Isabella Beal have played the majority of minutes and have held opponents to 0.83 goals per game and 12.7 shots per game.

Tim Barrera has 24 years head coaching experience in soccer and has more than doubled the previous Northern Colorado record for wins by a soccer head coach and now has more wins than the rest of the UNC soccer coaches combined.

November Madness: In the last six years, head coach Tim Barrera is 3-4-1 in the month of November.

Trending Upward: UNC has made seven appearances in the Big Sky Tournament, and displays a record of 2-5-2. However, the Bears are 2-1-1 in their last four games.