Soccer Unable to Top Portland State in Big Sky Opener

Friday, September 23

Greeley, Colo.

7 pm

University of Northern Colorado

4-5-2, 0-1-0

Portland State

2-5-3, 1-0-0

Portland St.

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

9/23/2022 10:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: By Brynn Abernathy, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo.- Northern Colorado Soccer put up a strong fight on Friday night at Jackson Stadium, but were unable to defeat Portland State, falling 1-0 to open Big Sky competition.

The Bears and Vikings proved to be an even match in the first half, and the ball traveled up and down the pitch for most of the first 45 minutes.

The Bears' best scoring chance of the first half came on a ball from Morgan King to wide open Melina Faris, but the play ultimately ended in an offsides call before Faris could get a shot off. Junior goalie Kaya Lindberg kept PSU off the board with two big saves in the half, keeping things tied at 0-0 at half time.

UNC came back stronger in the second half and posed more challenges for the Vikings, however a physical second half consisting of a total of 15 free kicks also led to scoring chances for each team.

In the second half, Northern Colorado recorded 9 shots, but were unable to capitalize and equalize the game after a goal by the Vikings at the 78-minute mark, ending the match 1-0.

What They Said

UNC Athletics · Soccer vs. Portland State Post-game (9/23/22)

Game Notes

Six Bears recorded shots in the match in Makenna Wilson, Hailey Collier, Haley O'Nan, Melina Faris, Lauren Woodhull, and Kalen Niedling. Woodhull led the team with four shots, two of which were on goal.
Lindberg recorded seven total saves on the night.
Lucy Hart, Samantha Blanchard, Melina Faris, and Kaya Lindberg each played the full 90 minutes of regulation.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado will now hit the road as they take on Sacramento State on Sunday at 2 p.m. MT. They will return to Jackson Stadium when they host Eastern Washington on September 30.

To stay up to date on all things UNC Soccer, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.