@UNC_BearsSoccer just a win away from the NCAA Tournament

Sunday, November 4

Ogden, UT

12:05 PM

University of Northern Colorado

University of Montana

UNC is playing for a chance to head to the programs second NCAA Tournament.

11/3/2018 2:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer

UNC and Montana meet with a Big Sky Title on the line

By: Ryan Ronan

OGDEN, Utah – For the second-straight season and third time in four years Northern Colorado will play for a right to represent the Big Sky in the NCAA Tournament.

"This has become a goal for us every season," said UNC head coach Tim Barrera. "We would like to replicate the 2015 win. This group of seniors has done a lot to move the program forward and will finish at least second three of their four years. But, certainly, the goal is to get a win and keep playing."

UNC is 1-1 in the previous two appearances with a win over Idaho in 2015, who the Bears beat in the semifinals this season, and a loss to Eastern Washington in 2017, who UNC defeated in the opening round this year. Sunday's match is against Montana who Northern Colorado beat in the conference opener back on
September 23.

Flashback to the early fall and the Griz thought they had UNC beat, leading 1-0 with under three minutes to play until Maddie Roberts found the back of the net and sent the game to overtime. Mariel Gutierrez did what she does best in the second OT and the Bears came back to Greeley with a 2-1 victory.

MONTANA MOMENTS
- The Griz entered the tournament as the fifth seed.
- Their specialty is defense and they have shown that in Ogden not allowing a goal in tournament play.
- Montana beat Northern Arizona in the opening round on the strength of a Janessa Fowler goal.
- UM came back and knocked off the No. 1 seeded Weber State Wildcats, 2-0.
- Fowler scored against WSU to take over the team lead in goals with seven.
- Claire Howard has posted nine shutouts this season.
- Montana entered the postseason with just a 6-8-6 record.

Much like their matchup with the Vandals, Montana was excellent on the defensive end throughout conference play, except when it came to playing UNC.

"They are similar in that they have some taller who can dominate in the air and play well centrally and are committed to playing well defensively. But, we have four players who can score and have been getting goals from other players like we did in the quarterfinals so we have a number of different ways to score and we will rely on that against a very good Montana team," Barrera said.

UM allowed just seven goals during BSC play and UNC scored two of those. The only other team to score multiple times on the Griz during conference play was Weber State who won the regular season title.

BEAR BITES
- Taylor Bray and Mariel Gutierrez have each scored two goals in the two matches in Ogden.
- Taylor Washington picked up her third shutout of the season vs. Idaho.
- A win would send UNC to its second NCAA Tournament since joining Division I in 2006.
- UNC has won back-to-back matches four times this season.
- A victory would give them their second three-match winning streak of the season.\

MATCH NOTES
- Montana is allowing one goal a game this season.
- UNC is averaging two goals a game this season, best of any BSC team.
- The win in Missoula earlier this season was the first UNC win there since 2006.
- The Bears haven't lost to Montana since 2014.
- UNC leads the all-time series 7-5-3.