University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, April 15
Ogden, Utah
3 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
3-3-2, 3-1-2
1
vs
2
University of Montana
9-1-0, 7-1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Colo. | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Montana | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Bears season comes to a close with loss in Big Sky semifinals
4/15/2021 6:34:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OGDEN, Utah – Northern Colorado and Montana are no strangers to overtime soccer. One more time in Ogden, the Bears and the Grizzlies needed extra time to determine a winner. On Thursday, it was the Griz who prevailed, 2-1, with the golden goal and earned the right to play Northern Arizona in the championship.
The first half saw several half-chances for both sides.
For UNC, it was the speedy play of freshman Melina Faris and the ever-dangerous Maddie Barkow that caused the most problems for Montana.
Faris sprinted up and down the right channel, earning several corners. In the 31st minute, Morgan King served a wonderful ball in the box that fell to Mackenzie Bray. Though her shot was eventually blocked, it would be the kind of pressure the Bears would continue to show all afternoon long.
The Griz opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a shot from distance but Tim Barrera's Bears didn't panic.
Slowly but surely, Northern Colorado cranked up the heat and started to ask more and more questions of the Montana defense.
UNC's breakthrough came in the 77th minute. Stemming from another Barkow flip throw, the ball eventually found the right foot of Maddie Duren, who powered it past the Montana Keeper to equalize.
Chances from Barkow, Hall and Taylor Bray highlighted tensioned-filled final moments of regulation with all of the action on the UNC offensive end.
Just when both teams were settling in to the first overtime period, Montana capitalized on a free ball in the box, found the back of the net and abruptly ended the contest, 2-1.
What They Said
Maddie Barkow
"Honestly, in the second half, we brought even more energy. We came out even harder than the first half. We were able to dominate possession, play it to the outsides and we were very calm and relaxed."
"We trained all season for this. We know that high press works for us. We brought it on to them, which causes a number of corners, so many throw-ins and kicks from the outside. We just had to finish our chance.
On wrapping up her UNC career
"It meant the world to me. It was like a childhood dream coming true to be able to play here. Wearing the Blue and Gold Jersey, I'm always going to remember those moments for the rest of my life."
Kaitlyn Meeder
"I think we had a lot of momentum going for us in the second half. It definitely held us until the last minute of the game."
On wrapping up her UNC career
"These have been the best four years of my life. I've been surrounded by the best teammates and coaching staff I could ever imagine."
Head Coach, Tim Barrera
To stay up to date on all things UNC soccer, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The first half saw several half-chances for both sides.
For UNC, it was the speedy play of freshman Melina Faris and the ever-dangerous Maddie Barkow that caused the most problems for Montana.
Faris sprinted up and down the right channel, earning several corners. In the 31st minute, Morgan King served a wonderful ball in the box that fell to Mackenzie Bray. Though her shot was eventually blocked, it would be the kind of pressure the Bears would continue to show all afternoon long.
Of course, Northern Colorado's offense wouldn't have the opportunity to press high if it weren't for the Bears' backline. Big Sky Co-Defensive MVP Lindsi Jennings alongside Erika Hall put on a masterclass on how to control the defensive half.32' | @MelinaFaris just causing all sorts of problems down the right side!#BearsStrong #BigSkySoccer pic.twitter.com/wCaf0p7E19
— UNC Women's Soccer (@UNC_BearsSoccer) April 15, 2021
As the first half drifted into the second with the score still knotted at zero, the Bears were determined to break through.64' | @lindsijennings showing why she's the co-defensive MVP!!#BearsStrong #BigSkySoccer pic.twitter.com/0fGDEdSm7a
— UNC Women's Soccer (@UNC_BearsSoccer) April 15, 2021
The Griz opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a shot from distance but Tim Barrera's Bears didn't panic.
Slowly but surely, Northern Colorado cranked up the heat and started to ask more and more questions of the Montana defense.
UNC's breakthrough came in the 77th minute. Stemming from another Barkow flip throw, the ball eventually found the right foot of Maddie Duren, who powered it past the Montana Keeper to equalize.
Sensing momentum on its side, the Bears did all they could to end it in regulation.77' | GOALLLLL!!! @maddieduren powers one through to tie the game!
— UNC Women's Soccer (@UNC_BearsSoccer) April 15, 2021
UNC - 1
UM - 1#BearsStrong #BigSkySoccer pic.twitter.com/UupNnhFflR
Chances from Barkow, Hall and Taylor Bray highlighted tensioned-filled final moments of regulation with all of the action on the UNC offensive end.
As a team, Northern Colorado earned seven corner kicks in the second half and held the Griz to zero.89' | @lindsijennings leads the counter-attack and @taystrike2 's shot it blocked! All UNC here in the final minutes!#BearsStrong #BigSkySoccer pic.twitter.com/fxkx7yg44p
— UNC Women's Soccer (@UNC_BearsSoccer) April 15, 2021
Just when both teams were settling in to the first overtime period, Montana capitalized on a free ball in the box, found the back of the net and abruptly ended the contest, 2-1.
What They Said
Maddie Barkow
"Honestly, in the second half, we brought even more energy. We came out even harder than the first half. We were able to dominate possession, play it to the outsides and we were very calm and relaxed."
"We trained all season for this. We know that high press works for us. We brought it on to them, which causes a number of corners, so many throw-ins and kicks from the outside. We just had to finish our chance.
On wrapping up her UNC career
"It meant the world to me. It was like a childhood dream coming true to be able to play here. Wearing the Blue and Gold Jersey, I'm always going to remember those moments for the rest of my life."
Kaitlyn Meeder
"I think we had a lot of momentum going for us in the second half. It definitely held us until the last minute of the game."
On wrapping up her UNC career
"These have been the best four years of my life. I've been surrounded by the best teammates and coaching staff I could ever imagine."
Head Coach, Tim Barrera
To stay up to date on all things UNC soccer, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Team Stats
UNC
MON
Goals
1
2
Shots
8
10
Shots on Goal
4
4
Saves
2
3
Corners
10
3
Fouls
6
4
Scoring Plays
Taylor Stoeger (4)
GOAL by MON Stoeger, Taylor.
58:25
Maddie Duren (1)
Assisted By: Erika Hall
GOAL by UNC Duren, Maddie Assist by Hall, Erika.
76:47
Taylor Stoeger (4)
Assisted By: Taylor Hansen
GOAL by MON Stoeger, Taylor Assist by Hansen, Taylor.
95:56
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
def
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M/F
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ 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
