@UNCBearsSoccer Beats Montana in Overtime, Advances to Big Sky Championship

Friday, November 3

Cheney, Wash.

11:05 am

University of Northern Colorado

(13-6-2) (5-3-2)

Montana

(10-7-4) (5-2-3)

OT 1

OT 2

Northern Colorado

Montana

11/3/2017 9:55:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Gutierrez and Roberts Score Goals. Bears Play Again Sunday

By: By: Charlie Snelson

CHENEY, Wash. In a stunning comeback, the 3rd seeded Bears defeated No. 2 Montana 2-1 in overtime Friday at E.W. Soccer Field. The winning goal came off the foot of Maddie Roberts after a crossing pass from Brooke Braden with five minutes to play in the second half of overtime.

The Bears trailed 1-0 at halftime but continued to pressure offensively and were eventually rewarded. Mariel Gutierrez tied the game in the 73^rd minute on a shot fumbled by goalkeeper Claire Howard. Northern Colorado then continued their positive momentum into the second half and overtime and Maddie Roberts came through with the winning goal. The win propelled UNC to the conference championship where they will face the winner of No. 1 Eastern Washington and No. 4 Portland State.

How It Happened: In the 17^th minute of the first half, Ellie Otteson crossed a pass from the right side and, after bouncing around inside the box, it found the foot of Alexa Coyle who scored the game's first goal. The shot went past goalkeeper Madeline Burdick into the top right corner of the net from 15 yards out.

The Bears began generating more chances toward the end of the first half and later into the second. In the 55^th minute, Taylor Bray had the ball in front of the goal one yard away but her shot deflected off Montana goalkeeper Claire Howard and went wide left. Then, in the 73^rd minute, a Montana foul was called, giving the Bears a free kick just outside the box on the left side. Mariel Gutierrez shot it to the right and the ball went off the hands of Howard and into the net just inside the right post, tying the game at one.

The goal shifted the game's momentum and the Bears continued their offensive charge into the final minutes of regulation. With eight minutes to go, Brook Braden took four corner kicks in a row, trying to find Gutierrez on the near post, but was denied each time. A yellow card was issued to Montana's Janessa Fowler with 1:43 remaining and Olivia Seddon floated in a good chance on the resulting free kick that deflected just left of the goal. Heading into overtime, UNC led in shot attempts 14-9.

Neither team recorded a shot in the first half of overtime and the teams switched sides before the second ten minute period commenced. In the 105^th minute of the game, Braden came charging up the left side and put a perfect crossing pass inside the box for Roberts, who sealed the win with her right footed kick to complete the comeback.

By the Numbers: Northern Colorado goalkeeper Madeline Burdick allowed one goal on six shots after earning a shutout against Sacramento State Wednesday. Four UNC players including Burdick played a full 104 minutes, including Mariel Gutierrez, Anika Shelrud, and Jaqui Pulley. Gutierrez led all players with seven shot attempts, three on goal and the Bears out-shot Montana 15-10. UNC earned 9 corner kicks while Montana had 7.

What's Next: The conference championship takes place on Sunday at 12:00pm at E.W. Soccer Field and can be watched on eleven sports network and Pluto TV. The Bears play No. 1 Eastern Washington after the Eagles defeated Portland State 2-1 on Friday.