University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, October 15
Cheney, WA
4 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
8-6-2, 6-0-0
1
at
0
Eastern Washington University
5-10-0, 3-4-0
1
2
F
Northern Colo.
0
1
1
Eastern Wash.
0
0
0
Bray's late-game winner keeps Bears perfect in Big Sky
10/15/2021 6:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CHENEY, Wash. – It was a cold fall afternoon in Cheney but the weather wasn't going to stop Northern Colorado's red-hot run through the Big Sky. Taylor Bray's 87th-minute strike was all the Bears needed to win, 1-0, over Eastern Washington and remain unbeaten in conference play.
While both sides didn't accumulate a mass number of shots on goal, each had their opportunities in the first half.
Eastern Washington flashed a pair of crosses across the face of goal early but no one was home on the back post to grab the goal.
On the other end of the pitch, the Bears tried to find a little time and space in the attacking third. The high press of Taylor Bray, Lexi Pulley and Melina Faris led to a number of turnovers.
It was Haley O'Nan who conjured the best opportunity on the half. In fact, her shot in the 35th minute remained the only shot on frame in the first 45 minutes between either team.
Eastern Washington was determined to find the breakthrough in the opening minutes of the second half.
With just six shots in the first period, the Eagles quickly put together another six in the initial 20 minutes of the second half. While only two shots made it to the gloves of goalkeeper Ashley Franza, and they did make it safely into her gloves, Franza and defense clamped down for the remainder of the contest.
Soon, Northern Colorado was able to flip any momentum EWU had and start attacking the Eagles' goal.
Shots from Haley O'Nan, Olivia Seddon and Pulley all whistled by the keeper. And still, the Bears kept attacking.
Rotating in a number of fresh legs, head coach Tim Barrera made sure his team would be the stronger side in the game's waning moments.
Britney Donais, Lauren Woodhull, Morgan King and Lucy Roberts all put in solid shifts at their respective positions to keep the pedal to the metal.
At last, in the 87th minute UNC capitalized. Making an aggressive run up the right-hand side, Hailey Collier picked up the ball with time, space and an eye on Taylor Bray. Collier served up a brilliant cross into the box, landing right on the feet of Bray who needed just one touch to slot it in the back of the net.
The goal goes down as Bray's fourth of the season and Collier's second assist of her career.
UNC's defense had no trouble locking down the final three minutes as the Bears solidified its sixth-straight victory to open up Big Sky play.
What They Said
"We made good use of our reserves today and I think it made the difference at the end. A player like Taylor Bray works her tail off and to get her some rest right before the end of the match was critical.
It was one of those days where it was tough to score. Eastern Washington presented some problems and created a number of good opportunities. Neither team took advantage of early scoring chances and it was our fifth-year senior that stepped up in a huge moment.
Wins on the road in the Big Sky are tough to come by and I'm incredibly proud of everyone today and the effort they all gave."
Game Notes
Northern Colorado remains on the road at Idaho this Sunday at 2 p.m. MT. 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.
While both sides didn't accumulate a mass number of shots on goal, each had their opportunities in the first half.
Eastern Washington flashed a pair of crosses across the face of goal early but no one was home on the back post to grab the goal.
On the other end of the pitch, the Bears tried to find a little time and space in the attacking third. The high press of Taylor Bray, Lexi Pulley and Melina Faris led to a number of turnovers.
It was Haley O'Nan who conjured the best opportunity on the half. In fact, her shot in the 35th minute remained the only shot on frame in the first 45 minutes between either team.
Eastern Washington was determined to find the breakthrough in the opening minutes of the second half.
With just six shots in the first period, the Eagles quickly put together another six in the initial 20 minutes of the second half. While only two shots made it to the gloves of goalkeeper Ashley Franza, and they did make it safely into her gloves, Franza and defense clamped down for the remainder of the contest.
Soon, Northern Colorado was able to flip any momentum EWU had and start attacking the Eagles' goal.
Shots from Haley O'Nan, Olivia Seddon and Pulley all whistled by the keeper. And still, the Bears kept attacking.
Rotating in a number of fresh legs, head coach Tim Barrera made sure his team would be the stronger side in the game's waning moments.
Britney Donais, Lauren Woodhull, Morgan King and Lucy Roberts all put in solid shifts at their respective positions to keep the pedal to the metal.
At last, in the 87th minute UNC capitalized. Making an aggressive run up the right-hand side, Hailey Collier picked up the ball with time, space and an eye on Taylor Bray. Collier served up a brilliant cross into the box, landing right on the feet of Bray who needed just one touch to slot it in the back of the net.
The goal goes down as Bray's fourth of the season and Collier's second assist of her career.
UNC's defense had no trouble locking down the final three minutes as the Bears solidified its sixth-straight victory to open up Big Sky play.
What They Said
"We made good use of our reserves today and I think it made the difference at the end. A player like Taylor Bray works her tail off and to get her some rest right before the end of the match was critical.
It was one of those days where it was tough to score. Eastern Washington presented some problems and created a number of good opportunities. Neither team took advantage of early scoring chances and it was our fifth-year senior that stepped up in a huge moment.
Wins on the road in the Big Sky are tough to come by and I'm incredibly proud of everyone today and the effort they all gave."
Game Notes
- Taylor Bray scored her fourth goal of the season and 19th of her career.
- Hailey Collier recorded her first assists of the season and second of her career.
- Ashley Franza grabbed her third shutout of the season and the sixth of her career.
- Northern Colorado extends its best record to begin Big Sky play since joining the conference.
Northern Colorado remains on the road at Idaho this Sunday at 2 p.m. MT. 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
UNC
EWU
Goals
1
0
Shots
13
12
Shots on Goal
4
2
Saves
2
3
Corners
3
1
Fouls
10
7
Scoring Plays
Taylor Bray (4)
Assisted By: Hailey Collier
GOAL by UNC Bray, Taylor Assist by Collier, Hailey.
86:55
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
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