University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, November 8
Greeley, Colo.
3 pm
University of Northern Colorado
8-10-4, 4-2-3
2
vs
1
University of Montana
7-6-6, 6-0-3
1
2
3
F
Northern Colo.
1
0
1
2
Montana
0
1
0
1
Photo by: Woody Myers
Finals Bound: Bears Advance to Big Sky Title Game
11/8/2019 7:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Northern Colorado upended the top seed Montana, 2-1, on Friday afternoon
For the third consecutive season, Northern Colorado soccer will appear in the Big Sky Tournament finals. UNC advanced to the finals after going to overtime and beating the top-seeded Montana Grizzlies, 2-1.
Taylor Bray delivered the golden goal in the 100th minute of the game, following passes from Haley O'Nan and a cross from Kaitlyn Meeder.
"It was a fantastic win and I'm really proud of every single player," head coach Tim Barrera said. "The bench was alive and the effort on the field was fantastic. We put Kaitlyn Meeder on and she hadn't played much, but she gave us a burst of energy. T-Bray worked on those crosses yesterday and she was able to smash it in. We knew they would play hard and we knew, down a goal, they would not go away. We regrouped in overtime and found some opportunities."
O'Nan collected the ball from Meeder and moved it up the field, before passing back to Meeder who was streaking down the right side of the field. Meeder crossed the ball perfectly to Bray who converted the opportunity.
"Whenever I see Katlyn going down the line, I know she is going to get a good cross off," Bray said. "Right when I saw it hit, I just knew I had to get to it and I connected."
The game mirrored the last meeting between the two teams, with each team playing aggressive. Both teams played physical, with five yellow cards assessed in the game and 19 total fouls.
Ashley Franza had a sensational day in goal, highlighted by stopping a penalty kick in the 61st minute. The sophomore recorded six saves, allowing one goal.
"[Ashley] has really grown as a player," Barrera said. "We have worked on penalties all year and [Ashley] has been working and improving each game this year."
Montana scored their goal on a bouncing ball into the box, that the Grizzlies Alexa Coyle slipped past Franza.
UNC scored their first goal off a set piece in the 15th minute. After earning a corner kick, Olivia Seddon sent the ball into the box. The ball was deflected to Maddie Barkow, who fired a shot that was blocked. Barkow fired off a second shot, on the rebound, over the head of Montana's Claire Howard.
In the semifinal game, UNC posted 14 shots, with Montana recording 12. Oliva Seddon created opportunities for the Bears, with three shots on goal and four total. UNC earned 10 corner kicks in the game, with Grizzlies getting five.
The Bears improved to 8-10-4 overall on the season and 5-2-2 at home.
"The crowd support was fantastic tonight," Barrera added, "I can't say enough about what the university and athletic department have done to support us. From the President [Feinstein] to Darren [Dunn] and Kristie Watson for everything. To be able to play at home, it makes a big difference. In the second overtime, now we're into the evening and the crowd is cheering you on. When you get to that moment and you have the support, it makes all the difference."
What's Next
Northern Colorado will face the number three seed, Eastern Washington, in the Big Sky Tournament Finals on Sunday, at 12 p.m.(MT).
"Please come out and support us. We are at home and we need all our fans out there and its going to be a good game," Bray said.
Taylor Bray delivered the golden goal in the 100th minute of the game, following passes from Haley O'Nan and a cross from Kaitlyn Meeder.
"It was a fantastic win and I'm really proud of every single player," head coach Tim Barrera said. "The bench was alive and the effort on the field was fantastic. We put Kaitlyn Meeder on and she hadn't played much, but she gave us a burst of energy. T-Bray worked on those crosses yesterday and she was able to smash it in. We knew they would play hard and we knew, down a goal, they would not go away. We regrouped in overtime and found some opportunities."
O'Nan collected the ball from Meeder and moved it up the field, before passing back to Meeder who was streaking down the right side of the field. Meeder crossed the ball perfectly to Bray who converted the opportunity.
"Whenever I see Katlyn going down the line, I know she is going to get a good cross off," Bray said. "Right when I saw it hit, I just knew I had to get to it and I connected."
The game mirrored the last meeting between the two teams, with each team playing aggressive. Both teams played physical, with five yellow cards assessed in the game and 19 total fouls.
Ashley Franza had a sensational day in goal, highlighted by stopping a penalty kick in the 61st minute. The sophomore recorded six saves, allowing one goal.
"[Ashley] has really grown as a player," Barrera said. "We have worked on penalties all year and [Ashley] has been working and improving each game this year."
Montana scored their goal on a bouncing ball into the box, that the Grizzlies Alexa Coyle slipped past Franza.
UNC scored their first goal off a set piece in the 15th minute. After earning a corner kick, Olivia Seddon sent the ball into the box. The ball was deflected to Maddie Barkow, who fired a shot that was blocked. Barkow fired off a second shot, on the rebound, over the head of Montana's Claire Howard.
In the semifinal game, UNC posted 14 shots, with Montana recording 12. Oliva Seddon created opportunities for the Bears, with three shots on goal and four total. UNC earned 10 corner kicks in the game, with Grizzlies getting five.
The Bears improved to 8-10-4 overall on the season and 5-2-2 at home.
"The crowd support was fantastic tonight," Barrera added, "I can't say enough about what the university and athletic department have done to support us. From the President [Feinstein] to Darren [Dunn] and Kristie Watson for everything. To be able to play at home, it makes a big difference. In the second overtime, now we're into the evening and the crowd is cheering you on. When you get to that moment and you have the support, it makes all the difference."
What's Next
Northern Colorado will face the number three seed, Eastern Washington, in the Big Sky Tournament Finals on Sunday, at 12 p.m.(MT).
"Please come out and support us. We are at home and we need all our fans out there and its going to be a good game," Bray said.
Team Stats
UNC
MON
Goals
2
1
Shots
12
14
Shots on Goal
7
7
Saves
6
5
Corners
10
5
Fouls
11
8
Scoring Plays
Maddie Barkow (1)
GOAL by UNC Barkow, Maddie.
14:19
Alexa Coyle (1)
Assisted By: McKenzie Kilpatrick
GOAL by MON Coyle, Alexa Assist by Kilpatrick, McKenzie.
79:54
Taylor Bray (1)
Assisted By: Kaitlyn Meeder , Haley O'Nan
GOAL by UNC Bray, Taylor Assist by Meeder, Kaitlyn and O'Nan, Haley.
99:12
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerM/F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
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