Recap: @UNCBearsSoccer Top Pioneers Behind Roberts, Niedling

Saturday, August 4

Greeley, CO

7 PM

University of Northern Colorado

0-0

Denver (EXH.)

0-0

OT 3

OT 4

Denver

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Ed Navarro

8/4/2018 11:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo.- Northern Colorado soccer prevailed in its first exhibition game of the 2018 season, with a 2-1 win over the University of Denver.

The Match

Junior Jessica Smith made her first start in goal for the Bears and Brittany Wilson started for the Pioneers.

UNC did not waste any time getting on the scoreboard at 5:03 in the first half after a Maddie Barkow throw in. Taylor Bray headed the ball down and Maddie Roberts would finish it of with the score to give UNC the 1-0 lead. Denver would get the equalizer at 17:53 on a free kick from Leah Swander that Samantha Feller would put into the back of the net.

After two early goals from both teams, the game settled into a possession battle. Denver would earn a corner kick at 35:56, but the Bears defense was able to turn away the Pioneers and keep the game tied. The game remained tied at one at the end of the first half.

Freshman Taylor Washington was subbed in for Smith to start the second half. UNC once again pressured Denver early, with Roberts nearly getting her second goal of the game only a minute into the second half. Another freshman would break through at 51:15, as Kalen Niedling scored her first goal at UNC with an assist by Roberts. UNC had a 2-1 advantage over the Pioneers early in the second half.

Washington had an early test in her young career, with Denver's Meg Halvorson earning a penalty kick at 62:44. Washington showed her poise and made a clutch save against Adler to keep UNC on top in the game.

The Bears maintained their aggression after taking the lead. Kaitlyn Meeder delivers three total shots, with two getting on goal following the Niedling goal.

UNC would hold the 2-1 lead after 90 minutes, but with the game being an exhibition, the teams played an additional 20-minute overtime period. Neither team scored in overtime and UNC held on for the 2-1 victory.

In their words
Tim Barrera, Head Coach

On the Game
"It was a good game to evaluate our players. We used every player available on our roster and they got good minutes. It was good to get some players the first minutes in their career. With preseason starting a few days ago, it was important to limit minutes. It was encouraging to see different players doing good things and working in combination with each other. There is a good bit of talent on the roster and it's our job to put those players together to get better results."

On the Roberts Play
"Maddie's one of our captains and its been her MO her whole career, playing out wide and being athletic. She does a good job in creating space for herself and taking people on. If you look at the game winner, we played a good ball from Mariel, we got it out to a 1-v-1 situation and she blew past the player. She served a great ball to Kalen, one of our freshman, and she was able to put it away."

On the Goalkeepers
"Jess being the oldest player got the start and I thought did a good job. She would probably want that set piece they scored on back. Overall, she did a good job commanding her box. She was loud and her distribution was good. Taylor Washington saving a penalty kick and the two in the extra 20 did their job."

Up Next
Northern Colorado will host the University of Calgary for the second exhibition game of the season at 10 A.M. on Saturday, August 11^th.

To stay up to date on all things UNC Soccer, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter with @UNCBearsSoccer.