University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Sunday, September 26
Flagstaff, AZ
2:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
4-6-2, 2-0-0
2
at
0
Northern Arizona University
2-9-0, 0-2-0
1
2
F
Northern Colo.
0
2
2
Northern Ariz.
0
0
0
Two second-half goals from Pulley guides Bears over Lumberjacks
9/26/2021 4:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Colorado Athletics was working on a perfect, 4-0, weekend and Soccer wasn't about to let the streak die just yet.
A brace from Lexi Pulley and an excellent defensive effort gave UNC its second straight Big Sky win of the season.
A wet, windy day in Flagstaff had both the Bears and Lumberjacks playing the majority of the first half in the midfield.
Both sides tallied eight shots apiece, five on goal for NAU and three on frame for UNC. However, both goalkeepers were up to the task in the first 45.
Senior Ashley Franza made a pair of spectacular saves to keep the home side out of goal. The San Ramon, California native smartly came off her line on a couple of occasions to deliver the huge saves.
Lexi Pulley came into the weekend as the Big Sky's leading goal scorer and had no intention of giving up her lead in the second half in Flagstaff.
As the Bears started the out half No. 2 on the front foot, Pulley made sure to get herself into good areas.
Erika Hall, who along with Maddie Duren and the rest of the UNC backline had done a masterful job, played a ball over the top of the NAU defense, allowing Pulley to run on to it.
One-on-one with the keeper, the Laramie, Wyoming native made no mistake to give the Bears the one-goal lead.
Pulley and her squad weren't satisfied just yet.
Ten minutes later, Taylor Bray and Britney Donais put together a move the US Women's National Team would be proud of, finishing with a gorgeous assist from Donais to Pulley.
Northern Arizona pressed to get back into the match. Two more shots on goal from the Lumberjacks were all the hosts could muster as Franza was up to the task each and every time.
Franza finished the afternoon with a season-high seven saves, tying her career-best.
Head coach Tim Barrera's crew put on a clinic on how to close out a game. A comfortable balance of defense with counter-attacking moves had Donais, Melina Faris and Lauren Woodhull each tally shots on goal towards the end of the contest.
As the final whistle blew, UNC finished its perfect road trip with its second straight two-goal victory.
What They Said
Head Coach, Tim Barrera
"Both teams battled through the first half. We made the decision to go deep on the bench in the first half and I think it helped us in the second. For example, we gave Erika Hall a breather in the first and she did an excellent job on Montgomery, who is a terrific player for NAU, in the second.
Overall, I thought today was a great team effort and we're happy to be coming home 2-0."
Game Notes
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns to Jackson Stadium next weekend when they host Portland State and Sacramento State.
To stay up to date on all things UNC volleyball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
A brace from Lexi Pulley and an excellent defensive effort gave UNC its second straight Big Sky win of the season.
A wet, windy day in Flagstaff had both the Bears and Lumberjacks playing the majority of the first half in the midfield.
Both sides tallied eight shots apiece, five on goal for NAU and three on frame for UNC. However, both goalkeepers were up to the task in the first 45.
Senior Ashley Franza made a pair of spectacular saves to keep the home side out of goal. The San Ramon, California native smartly came off her line on a couple of occasions to deliver the huge saves.
Lexi Pulley came into the weekend as the Big Sky's leading goal scorer and had no intention of giving up her lead in the second half in Flagstaff.
As the Bears started the out half No. 2 on the front foot, Pulley made sure to get herself into good areas.
Erika Hall, who along with Maddie Duren and the rest of the UNC backline had done a masterful job, played a ball over the top of the NAU defense, allowing Pulley to run on to it.
One-on-one with the keeper, the Laramie, Wyoming native made no mistake to give the Bears the one-goal lead.
Pulley and her squad weren't satisfied just yet.
Ten minutes later, Taylor Bray and Britney Donais put together a move the US Women's National Team would be proud of, finishing with a gorgeous assist from Donais to Pulley.
Northern Arizona pressed to get back into the match. Two more shots on goal from the Lumberjacks were all the hosts could muster as Franza was up to the task each and every time.
Franza finished the afternoon with a season-high seven saves, tying her career-best.
Head coach Tim Barrera's crew put on a clinic on how to close out a game. A comfortable balance of defense with counter-attacking moves had Donais, Melina Faris and Lauren Woodhull each tally shots on goal towards the end of the contest.
As the final whistle blew, UNC finished its perfect road trip with its second straight two-goal victory.
What They Said
Head Coach, Tim Barrera
"Both teams battled through the first half. We made the decision to go deep on the bench in the first half and I think it helped us in the second. For example, we gave Erika Hall a breather in the first and she did an excellent job on Montgomery, who is a terrific player for NAU, in the second.
Overall, I thought today was a great team effort and we're happy to be coming home 2-0."
Game Notes
- Goalkeeper Ashley Franza set a new season-high and matched her career-high with seven saves.
- Lexi Pulley added two goals to increase her Big Sky-leading total.
- Britney Donais carded her third assist of the season.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns to Jackson Stadium next weekend when they host Portland State and Sacramento State.
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
NAU
Goals
2
0
Shots
21
10
Shots on Goal
12
7
Saves
7
9
Corners
5
10
Fouls
9
11
Scoring Plays
Lexi Pulley (7)
Assisted By: Erika Hall
GOAL by UNC Pulley, Lexi Assist by Hall, Erika.
56:56
Lexi Pulley (7)
Assisted By: Britney Donais
GOAL by UNC Pulley, Lexi Assist by Donais, Britney.
64:00
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
def
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
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