@UNC_BearsSoccer looks to overthrow the Vandals and move on to the title match

OGDEN, Utah – The semifinals of the Big Sky soccer tournament are just a matter of hours away, Idaho and Northern Colorado got to the second round in different ways. UNC took down the defending champs and Idaho had a first-round bye.

Much like their paths to this point in the postseason, the Vandals and Bears got her very differently. UI allowed a total four goals all-conference season meanwhile the Bears lead the league in goals with 37.

"They have defended really well this season," said UNC head coach Tim Barrera. "When we played them earlier this season we scored in a couple different ways we will look to do move the ball around be creative and just break them down."

The goals Barrera is referring to are the three that UNC scored against Idaho in the Bears victory over the Vandals this season. NC scored more goals on Idaho than the rest of the conference combined, Montana was the only other team to find the back of the net vs. UI.

BEAR NOTES
- Mariel Gutierrez continued her scoring streak netting a pair of goals in the opening round.
- Cara Quinn scored her first goal of the season in that same match against EWU.
- UNC has a season total of 40 goals this season following their three on Wednesday.

Northern Colorado handed the Vandals their only Big Sky loss of the season, but that is unlikely to have much of an effect on Friday.

"Both teams have evolved a little bit since then. The situation is also a little, were not at home and they haven't played in a little bit and we played on Wednesday. So it's a benefit to us that we have played, but they have been able to rest. It should be an interesting matchup and our players are looking forward to it," Barrera said.

IDAHO INSIGHT
- The Vandals haven't played since Oct. 21 against Northern Arizona.
- Idaho was the only team to beat Weber State in conference play.
- UI has the second-best goals-against average of a Big Sky team.
- They were also second in shutouts with nine this season.
- Idaho comes into the tournament as the No. 2 seed after missing out last season.

MATCH NOTES
- Idaho dominated the early part of the series and leads 3-5-1.
- UNC has won the last two matches and both by shutout.
- This is the first meeting in the Big Sky Conference.
- Myah Merino leads UI in points with 11 and goals with five.
- Gutierrez leads the conference in points and goals with 10.
- Taylor Washington had three shutouts this season, one of them came against Idaho.

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Mariel Gutierrez

Cara Quinn

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