Roberts sparks @UNC_BearsSoccer to big win over Idaho

Friday, September 28

Greeley, CO

7 PM

University of Northern Colorado

6-5 (2-0)

Idaho

5-6-1 (2-1)

IDAHO

Northern Colorado

Maddie Roberts scored a goal and had an assist in the Bears win over Idaho.

9/28/2018 10:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Ryan Ronan

Idaho came into Friday's match against Northern Colorado as the toast of the conference through one week. The Vandals, a preseason pick to finish seventh in the Big Sky had gotten off to a 2-0 start and rolled into Jackson Stadium with both the offensive player of the week, Bridget Daley, and the defensive player of the week in goalie Makayla Presgrave. UNC, not impressed as the Bears got on the board first with a goal from freshman Lexi Pulley and pulled away to beat the Vandals, 3-0.

"The way we were able to connect the ball, finish plays and play as a team tonight was great," said senior defender Lindsi Jennings. "When we play as a team we are on and tonight we were on."

The Bears dominated the pace of play taking 14 shots, seven of which Presgrave had to make a play on. UNC came out with the mindset of challenging the reigning POW in net.

"This week at practice we worked a lot on building out of the midfield into the forwards and combining together," said senior Maddie Roberts. "We came out and applied that in tonight's game. I am really proud of this team."

Roberts was responsible for a good deal of the pressure put on the Vandals defense. She came into the match tied with teammate Mariel Gutierrez for the most goals of any Big Sky player, and she added to that late in the second half. Also, she assisted on the Pulley goal that got the scoring started.

"I felt really good tonight. Everyone was working really hard for each other and getting that assist was really awesome. The goal was just hard work that paid off with a scramble in the box that all paid off in a victory," Roberts said.

On the flip side, Daley came in fresh off a hat trick against Portland State and not only did she not score a goal, but she also didn't even register a shot.
"We watched a lot of film on her this week. Coach Lisa (Lubke) pointed out how she likes to move around and get forward, we just worked a lot on staying with her and communicating. I think the communication was key tonight," Jennings said.

The suffocating Bears defense frustrated Daley to the point where she picked up a yellow card late in the second half.

"We made it tough for them and made them play a little more direct than they probably wanted to," said UNC head coach Tim Barrera. "I think our backline defenders played very well as a group. We did a good job of putting numbers around her so she wouldn't get those free looks. Also, Taylor Washington had her best game of the year."

Mackenzie Bray scored a goal sandwiched between the Pulley and Roberts goals that at the time made it 2-0 Bears. The big win Friday night helped keep the momentum rolling for UNC as they head into Sunday's match against rival Eastern Washington.

"Tonight's win just gives us that much more confidence. We are ready. We had so much energy coming into the game tonight and now we have even more," Jennings said.

The Eagles and Bears met in last season's Big Sky Tournament championship game and the Eagles where the preseason pick to win the BSC again.
"Both teams are different this season. It's just another game, it's the next game on the Big Sky schedule. The important thing is we have to get points at home and we did that tonight, but there's another big one on Sunday," Barrera said.

UNC will be playing with a little advantage handed to them by the schedule makers, while the Bears played tonight at home, EWU played in Missoula. They played to a scoreless draw but will be coming all the way from Montana with their slightly surprising conference record of 1-1-1.

Also, Sunday is Bark in the Park day so come out with your furry friend and watch one the Big Sky matches of the year that kicks at noon.