University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, September 13
Greeley, CO
7 PM
University of Northern Colorado
vs
SMU
@UNCBearsSoccer does the two-step to close out non conference play
9/12/2018 9:09:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The Bears finished up the busiest part of their schedule playing four matches in eight days. UNC dominated all four of the matchups and came away with a 3-1 record after beating Grand Canyon University, 2-1.
Following a couple days off, UNC closes out its three-match homestand with the start of its Texas two-step section of the schedule starting Thursday night with a match vs. Southern Methodist University.Â
"SMU is a well-coached experienced team that has had a great start," said UNC head coach Tim Barrera. "They present some problems that we have not seen yet this season. They were in the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and were close last year. It will be a good challenge for us at home."
The Mustangs are coming in with a 4-1-1 record, including a 5-1 win over Florida International in their last match. Both teams are riding two-match winning streaks. UNC and SMU don't have any common opponents.
"It will be a good challenge for us at home. As far as what we need to do, we need to take advantage of our opportunities and be aggressive. Starting for or five freshmen, our seniors need to lead the way," said Barrera.
BEAR FACTS:Â
-Â Â After going scoreless in the first three matches of the season, Mariel Gutierrez has scored a goal in the last three matches.
-Â Â Gutierrez added an assist to the pair of goals, which earned her Offensive Player of the Week honors in the Big Sky.
-Â Â Following the two wins over Wyoming and Grand Canyon, UNC has jumped into the United Soccer regional rankings at No. 10.
-Â Â UNC is one of just two Big Sky teams in the rankings, Eastern Washington checks in at No. 6 this week.
-Â Â This is the Bears last home match before they start conference play.
PONY POINTS:
-Â Â Courtney Sebazco leads SMU with four goals this season.
-Â Â SMU is currently ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer South Regional Rankings.
-Â Â The Mustangs have outscored their opponents 13-8 this season.
The non-conference schedule comes to an end with the most difficult matchup of the season. UNC travels to Austin to face No. 14 ranked Texas.
"They are fast and have a lot of attacking personalities. We will need to deal with those attacking capabilities and find ways to get forward ourselves," Barrera said.
The Longhorns tied No. 6 North Carolina, 1-1 and defeated Central Florida who was ranked 23rd at the time. Playing a big-time Power 5 opponent is something that the Bears always look to do before they start Big Sky play.
"We like to play at least one of those programs to challenge our players. Our non-conference schedule is set up to prepare our team for the variety and rigor of the schedule. Playing away with tough travel is part of it and the ability to perform on the road against tough opponents is part of it as well," Barrera said.
UT will play host to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday before the Bears come to town.
Longhorn Notes:
-Â Â This is the second-straight season UNC will play a Big 12 opponent. Last season TCU came to Greeley.
-Â Â UT will play a Big Sky team for the second consecutive season, in 2017 the Horns beat Sacramento State, 1-0.
-Â Â UNC will need to keep an eye on Cyera Hintzen who leads Texas with six goals in seven matches.
-Â Â Texas will put pressure on the Bears defense that has kept the ball away from keeper Taylor Washington in recent matches,
   UT has outshot its opponents nearly two-to-one, 117 to-59.
-Â Â The match will be broadcast live on the ESPN Longhorn Network. On Dish that's channel 407 and on DirecTV it is channel 677.
Following a couple days off, UNC closes out its three-match homestand with the start of its Texas two-step section of the schedule starting Thursday night with a match vs. Southern Methodist University.Â
"SMU is a well-coached experienced team that has had a great start," said UNC head coach Tim Barrera. "They present some problems that we have not seen yet this season. They were in the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and were close last year. It will be a good challenge for us at home."
The Mustangs are coming in with a 4-1-1 record, including a 5-1 win over Florida International in their last match. Both teams are riding two-match winning streaks. UNC and SMU don't have any common opponents.
"It will be a good challenge for us at home. As far as what we need to do, we need to take advantage of our opportunities and be aggressive. Starting for or five freshmen, our seniors need to lead the way," said Barrera.
BEAR FACTS:Â
-Â Â After going scoreless in the first three matches of the season, Mariel Gutierrez has scored a goal in the last three matches.
-Â Â Gutierrez added an assist to the pair of goals, which earned her Offensive Player of the Week honors in the Big Sky.
-Â Â Following the two wins over Wyoming and Grand Canyon, UNC has jumped into the United Soccer regional rankings at No. 10.
-Â Â UNC is one of just two Big Sky teams in the rankings, Eastern Washington checks in at No. 6 this week.
-Â Â This is the Bears last home match before they start conference play.
PONY POINTS:
-Â Â Courtney Sebazco leads SMU with four goals this season.
-Â Â SMU is currently ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer South Regional Rankings.
-Â Â The Mustangs have outscored their opponents 13-8 this season.
The non-conference schedule comes to an end with the most difficult matchup of the season. UNC travels to Austin to face No. 14 ranked Texas.
"They are fast and have a lot of attacking personalities. We will need to deal with those attacking capabilities and find ways to get forward ourselves," Barrera said.
The Longhorns tied No. 6 North Carolina, 1-1 and defeated Central Florida who was ranked 23rd at the time. Playing a big-time Power 5 opponent is something that the Bears always look to do before they start Big Sky play.
"We like to play at least one of those programs to challenge our players. Our non-conference schedule is set up to prepare our team for the variety and rigor of the schedule. Playing away with tough travel is part of it and the ability to perform on the road against tough opponents is part of it as well," Barrera said.
UT will play host to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday before the Bears come to town.
Longhorn Notes:
-Â Â This is the second-straight season UNC will play a Big 12 opponent. Last season TCU came to Greeley.
-Â Â UT will play a Big Sky team for the second consecutive season, in 2017 the Horns beat Sacramento State, 1-0.
-Â Â UNC will need to keep an eye on Cyera Hintzen who leads Texas with six goals in seven matches.
-Â Â Texas will put pressure on the Bears defense that has kept the ball away from keeper Taylor Washington in recent matches,
   UT has outshot its opponents nearly two-to-one, 117 to-59.
-Â Â The match will be broadcast live on the ESPN Longhorn Network. On Dish that's channel 407 and on DirecTV it is channel 677.
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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