Seniors rise to the occasion to outlast Wildcats

Sunday, October 24

Greeley, CO

12:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

9-7-2, 7-1-0

Weber State University

9-8-0, 6-3-0

Weber St.

Northern Colo.

10/24/2021 2:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Controlling its own destiny for a chance at the Big Sky regular-season title, it was Northern Colorado's seniors who stepped up on senior day to outpace Weber State, 4-3, for the victory on Sunday afternoon.

The crowd on hand to witness the senior day festivities at Jackson Stadium were treated to even more fireworks in the opening half.

Nine minutes into the contest, Weber State had eyes to spoil the party for Northern Colorado, knocking in the first goal of the day.

Tim Barrera's crew wasn't going to away that quietly, however.

Taylor Bray, pressing forward, caused all sorts of confusion with the Wildcats goalie, stole the ball with nothing but green grass in front of her and calmly tucked in her sixth goal of the season to tie the match.

UNC wasn't done creating chances just yet.

The Bears spent a large portion of the first 45 minutes in the offensive half, continuing to put pressure on the WSU goal.

Bray and Maddie Duren each collected multiple shots on goal as Northern Colorado tallied five total on frame in the first half.

Apropos of senior day, it was Olivia Seddon who capitalized on a great scoring opportunity inside the Weber State box. Finding herself with time and space, Seddon slotted home her second goal in as many games to give her team the lead.

As Morgan Bury was forced off due to injury with 10 minutes to play before the break, Ashley Franza was thrust on to finish out the goalkeeping duties.

Weber State found a little space moments later down the right side and put home the tying effort just before the half.

Incredibly, the second half was somehow more exciting than the first.

Both teams combined for 18 shots, 10 on goal and dialed up five more scoring efforts on Sunday afternoon.

Weber State struck first in the 60^th minute, capitalizing on a good cross from the left side.

However, the veteran group of players for the Bears wasn't going to let a chance at the conference regular-season title slip through their grasp.

A corner kick in the 68^th minute did just the trick. Seddon curled one it toward the back post where Lexi Pulley, smartly and unselfishly, found Taylor Bray who collected her second of the contest to tie the game at three goals apiece.

A tie would not suffice for the Bears.

Yet another set-piece from Seddon found the head of Pulley. Pulley didn't squander the opportunity, vaulting her team ahead of the Wildcats.

UNC's defense did all it needed to run out the clock, outlasting Weber State for the 4-3 win.

What They Said
Taylor Bray, Lexi Pulley and head coach Tim Barrera

Game Notes

Taylor Bray scored her sixth and seventh goals of the season. Bray now leads the Big Sky golden boot race with seven.
Lexi Pulley scored her 10th goal of the season. Pulley is one conference goal behind Bray for the golden boot race
Tim Barrera recorded his 67^th conference win and is now the Big Sky's All-Time winningest coach.
Olivia Seddon scored her third goal of the season.
UNC's three seniors (Bray, Seddon and Pulley) each recorded four points on the afternoon

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado finishes out the regular season with Idaho State on Tuesday, October 26, at Noon MT. A win or tie would give the Bears the Big Sky regular-season title. Admission to Jackson Stadium is always free.

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