Bray Helps Propel @UNCBearsSoccer to Quarterfinal Victory

Wednesday, November 1

Cheney, Wash.

11:05 am

University of Northern Colorado

12-6-2 (5-3-2)

Sacramento State

8-8-4 (3-3-4)

Sacramento State

Northern Colorado

11/1/2017 1:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Bears defeat Sacramento State 2-0 in Big Sky Tournament

By: By: Charlie Snelson

CHENEY, Wash. – The Bears earned the No. 3 seed for the first round of the Big Sky conference tournament and came away with a win over No. 6 Sacramento State 2-0 at E.W. Soccer Field, Wednesday afternoon. Freshman midfielder Taylor Bray scored her first goal of the season with six minutes remaining in the first half to give the Bears a 1-0 lead. Olivia Seddon also scored, with a beautiful strike from the top of the box to make it 2-0 in the second half.

How It Happened:
The first ten minutes of the game were a cautious start for both squads and the first shot on goal for either team came in the 11th minute. The offense quickly picked up from there and a corner kick by Kayla Collins resulted in a header try by Mikayla Reed for Sacramento State. UNC senior goalkeeper Madeline Burdick made a brilliant save, punching the ball wide left.

With 30 minutes remaining in the first half, Burdick made another save on a chance from Julia Herrera whose shot was just below the crossbar.

In the 39th minute of the first half, the Bears earned a free kick ten yards inside the attacking half of the field. Olivia Seddon kicked the ball into traffic and it found the right foot of Bray who shot it into the lower right side of the goal passing the outstretched Aaliyah Fesili.

Sacramento State earned a free kick just before the half from 40 yards out, but the shot attempt was blocked by UNC's Anika Shelrud.

In the second half, Olivia Seddon took a crossing pass from the top of the box from Maddie Roberts and her shot was right on target as she curled it into the top right corner of the goal, giving the Bears a 2-0 lead with 38 minutes remaining in the game.

Northern Colorado's leading goal scorer Mariel Gutierrez had a pair of scoring chances shortly after but was unable to convert.
Sacramento State began pressing for more offense as time ticked away on the timepiece and kept the ball in the attacking half for the majority of the remaining time. The final shot from the Hornets went wide right with 34 seconds remaining and the Bears prevailed.

Notable Numbers:
The Bears and Hornets each recorded five shots on goal in the game, but Madeline Burdick made all five saves and earned her tenth shutout of the season. Burdick beat the previous school record for shutouts in a season earlier in the fall. Mariel Gutierrez led UNC with three shots on goal. Taylor Bray also recorded a pair of shots on goal. Anika Shelrud, Mariel Gutierrez, and Madeline Burdick played a full 90 minutes for UNC.

What's Next:
The win propels the Bears into the conference tournament semifinals. They will play No. 2 Montana (10-6-4, 5-2-3) at 11:05 am MT on Friday, November 3rd at E.W. Soccer Field. Northern Colorado and Montana came to a 0-0 overtime draw in their only meeting in 2017 on October 20th in Greeley.