Selfless @UNCBearsSoccer team loses to Frogs, 2-1

Sunday, August 27

Greeley, Colo.

1:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

3-1

Texas Christian University

3-1

TCU

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Ed Navarro

8/27/2017 4:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: By Zak Gilbert

| Photo gallery

GREELEY, Colo. – We, not me.

That's the theme the UNC soccer team has adopted this season. Win as a team. Lose as a team.

The Bears (3-1-0, 0-0-0 Big Sky) were on the short end of that equation for the first time Sunday. Despite shutting out TCU over the game's first 61 minutes, the Horned Frogs strung together a pair of second-half goals to deny the Bears, 2-1, Sunday at Jackson Stadium.

But UNC lost as a team, and that's key. Because when the loss comes against a Power Five opponent like TCU (3-1-0, 0-0-0 Big 12), the Bears have a lot to carry forward.

"We have a team-first mentality," said head coach Tim Barrera. "Our mentality's been good. Defensively, we were mentally tough. The biggest takeaway for us was that we can defend a really good team.

"And nearly every player on our roster is playing and contributing."

One of those players, freshman forward Kaitlyn Meeder, recorded her first collegiate assist on a point-blank goal by Maddie Roberts late in the first half.

"Kaitlyn dribbled the ball up the line and I saw her coming in," said Roberts, who garnered her second goal this season. "We had a few runners there. I was a little late. I just timed my run and Kaitlyn gave me a great pass and I was able to finish it.

"We have a few new girls who are stepping up and coming in, the freshmen, and they're rock stars; they're doing great. Our communication is getting a lot better as our games go by. It's been progressively better every game."

TCU got progressively better as Sunday went on. The Frogs tied the contest in the 62nd minute on a pinball goal by Emma Heckendorn, following a free kick that ricocheted off several players from both teams.

Then, Heckendorn broke the Bears' hearts, tallying her second goal with just 1:25 on the clock.

"It was disappointing because we had some chances," said Barrera. "In games like that, you're not going to get a ton of chances.

"I thought it was a great first half. We absorbed a lot of their pressure. We competed well. When we got the ball out wide, we had some success."

The Bears continue their home schedule Friday night at Jackson Stadium against New Hampshire. Like the Bears, the Wildcats began 3-0 but lost their first contest Sunday afternoon. Both teams enter Friday's 7 p.m. game at 3-1-0. Admission and parking are free.