University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Sunday, October 10
Greeley, CO
12:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
7-6-2, 5-0-0
1
vs
0
University of Montana
7-5-1, 3-1-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Colo. | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Freshmen duo lead Bears over Griz
10/10/2021 2:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
GREELEY, Colo. – When two titans of the Big Sky clash, it takes a total team effort to come away with the victory and that's what Northern Colorado delivered on Sunday afternoon.
Forwards, midfielders and a dynamite defense all chipped in as the Bears prevailed over Montana, 1-0.
From the get-go, both teams gave the fans who made their way to Jackson Stadium reasons to cheer.
UNC put immediate pressure on the Griz, totaling nine first-half shots, six of them on goal. Lexi Pulley nearly bagged a header from UNC's first corner and while Northern Colorado didn't score, the number of chances created had them off an running.
Montana's best chance of the first half came on a ball over the top but starting goalie Morgan Bury, quick to close down the attacker, brilliantly and bravely came off her line to deny the visitors the opening goal.
Throughout the first half, Northern Colorado found a plethora of success down the right ride of the Montana defense. The speed of Melina Faris and Britney Donais created a number of opportunities in the first 45.
Freshman defender Lucy Hart also wasn't afraid to get forward. On top of locking down the right side of the Bears' defense, Hart bounded forward to help create opportunities throughout the half.
In the 41st minute, UNC finally claimed its breakthrough. Donais, once again finding space on the right, floated a ball toward the Griz keeper. With Lauren Woodhull and Sydney Engelkins causing havoc in front, the Montana goalie spilled the cross, allowing Engelkins to slam home the first goal of the game.
Montana mounted plenty of attacks to try to equalize before the break but of the Griz's six shots, only two found their way to Bury, Largely in part because of UNC's terrific back line.
Captained by Maddie Duren, Erika Hall, Lucy Hart and Hailey Collier all put in strong efforts as starters while Lucy Roberts often subbed on to aid the effort.
The second half was a back and forth affair.
UNC's and Montana stats were nearly identical. The Bears managed five shots with one on goal. Meanwhile, the Griz tallied four shots, equaling Northern Colorado's one shot on goal.
While Bury wasn't as busy in the second 45, it was the Bears' midfield and defense that held strong. Tackles from Cara Quin, Hailey Collier, Haley O'Nan and Olivia Seddon not only kept Montana from gaining any sort of offensive momentum but also set UNC's counter attack in motion.
In the game's final moments, the Bears put on a masterclass on how to run out a clock. Duren and Hall cleared their lines with no nonsense and Lexi Pulley and Taylor Bray expertly kept the ball in the attacking third, winning multiple corners and throw ins to wane down the clock.
When the final whistle sounded, Engelkins goal was the difference and Northern Colorado remained perfect in Big Sky play.
What They Said
Lucy Hart, Sydney Engelkins and head coach Tim Barrera
Game Notes
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado heads back out on the road for matchups against Eastern Washington and Idaho. The Bears will return to Jackson Stadium on October 22, against Idaho State. Admission is free.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Forwards, midfielders and a dynamite defense all chipped in as the Bears prevailed over Montana, 1-0.
From the get-go, both teams gave the fans who made their way to Jackson Stadium reasons to cheer.
UNC put immediate pressure on the Griz, totaling nine first-half shots, six of them on goal. Lexi Pulley nearly bagged a header from UNC's first corner and while Northern Colorado didn't score, the number of chances created had them off an running.
Montana's best chance of the first half came on a ball over the top but starting goalie Morgan Bury, quick to close down the attacker, brilliantly and bravely came off her line to deny the visitors the opening goal.
Throughout the first half, Northern Colorado found a plethora of success down the right ride of the Montana defense. The speed of Melina Faris and Britney Donais created a number of opportunities in the first 45.
Freshman defender Lucy Hart also wasn't afraid to get forward. On top of locking down the right side of the Bears' defense, Hart bounded forward to help create opportunities throughout the half.
In the 41st minute, UNC finally claimed its breakthrough. Donais, once again finding space on the right, floated a ball toward the Griz keeper. With Lauren Woodhull and Sydney Engelkins causing havoc in front, the Montana goalie spilled the cross, allowing Engelkins to slam home the first goal of the game.
Montana mounted plenty of attacks to try to equalize before the break but of the Griz's six shots, only two found their way to Bury, Largely in part because of UNC's terrific back line.
Captained by Maddie Duren, Erika Hall, Lucy Hart and Hailey Collier all put in strong efforts as starters while Lucy Roberts often subbed on to aid the effort.
The second half was a back and forth affair.
UNC's and Montana stats were nearly identical. The Bears managed five shots with one on goal. Meanwhile, the Griz tallied four shots, equaling Northern Colorado's one shot on goal.
While Bury wasn't as busy in the second 45, it was the Bears' midfield and defense that held strong. Tackles from Cara Quin, Hailey Collier, Haley O'Nan and Olivia Seddon not only kept Montana from gaining any sort of offensive momentum but also set UNC's counter attack in motion.
In the game's final moments, the Bears put on a masterclass on how to run out a clock. Duren and Hall cleared their lines with no nonsense and Lexi Pulley and Taylor Bray expertly kept the ball in the attacking third, winning multiple corners and throw ins to wane down the clock.
When the final whistle sounded, Engelkins goal was the difference and Northern Colorado remained perfect in Big Sky play.
What They Said
Lucy Hart, Sydney Engelkins and head coach Tim Barrera
Game Notes
- Sydney Engelkins scored her first career goal and third career point. She ties her sister Kenzie for career goals at UNC.
- Morgan Bury tallied her sixth career shutout.
- Five different Bears recorded shots on goal Sunday afternoon.
- UNC's 5-0 start in conference play is the Bears' best start since joining the Big Sky.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado heads back out on the road for matchups against Eastern Washington and Idaho. The Bears will return to Jackson Stadium on October 22, against Idaho State. Admission is free.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Team Stats
MON
UNC
Goals
0
1
Shots
10
14
Shots on Goal
3
7
Saves
5
3
Corners
3
9
Fouls
4
4
Scoring Plays
Sydney Engelkins (1)
GOAL by UNC Engelkins, Sydney.
40:37
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerYear in Review: 2021-22 Soccer
Wednesday, December 24
University of Northern Colorado's 15th Annual Women's Walk
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Bears Soccer Highlights vs Sacramento State
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Bears Soccer Highlights vs Idaho State
Tuesday, December 23
