University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, October 22
Greeley, Colo.
12 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Portland State
10/21/2026 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns home Thursday looking to keep its conference momentum going, hosting Portland State at 12 p.m. MT.
The Bears enter at 5-5-4 overall and 2-0-2 in Big Sky play, with eight points from their first four conference matches. Portland State is 3-10 overall and 1-3 in conference.
Chasing a Tournament Spot
Every point matters from here, because only the top six teams in the final Big Sky standings qualify for the conference tournament. Northern Colorado sits in position to be one of them with eight points through four matches, its best start to conference play since 2021.
Last Time Out
Northern Colorado closed its first conference road trip with a 2-1 win at Southern Utah on Oct. 18. Ava Marshall scored in the 8th minute and Sunnie Yarnell added a second in the 34th, with Maria Armatas and Preslie Young combining on the assist.
Southern Utah pulled one back in the 61st, but Thordis Melsted made seven saves to preserve the result.
The win kept the Bears unbeaten in conference play and extended their run to four matches without a loss, their longest to open Big Sky play since 2021.
Scouting Portland State
The Vikings have struggled to score, managing eight goals in 13 matches for an average of 0.62 per game. They have been outshot 210-124 on the season and have generated just 31 corner kicks to their opponents' 87.
Aliayha Saldana leads the attack with three goals and an assist on a team-high 30 shots. Elle Frazier has two goals in ten appearances, and Camilla Contreras Bran and Yammile Picon have one each. Grace Sarabia has a team-best two assists.
Portland State has done most of its scoring early, with seven of its eight goals coming in the first half. The Vikings have been shut out eight times this season.
Goalkeeper Finley Crabtree has played all but 31 minutes, posting a 1.82 goals-against average with 62 saves and one shutout. She ranks third in the Big Sky in saves per game.
The Vikings opened conference play with losses at Utah Tech and Southern Utah, then beat Weber State 2-1 before falling 1-0 to Idaho State on Oct. 18.
Melsted Third in the Conference
Melsted has started all 14 matches in goal and ranks second in the Big Sky in saves per game at 5.43 and third in save percentage at .800. She has five shutouts, four of them in the last six matches.
Up Next
Northern Colorado stays home to host Montana on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 12 p.m. MT.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's soccer team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Â
The Bears enter at 5-5-4 overall and 2-0-2 in Big Sky play, with eight points from their first four conference matches. Portland State is 3-10 overall and 1-3 in conference.
Chasing a Tournament Spot
Every point matters from here, because only the top six teams in the final Big Sky standings qualify for the conference tournament. Northern Colorado sits in position to be one of them with eight points through four matches, its best start to conference play since 2021.
Last Time Out
Northern Colorado closed its first conference road trip with a 2-1 win at Southern Utah on Oct. 18. Ava Marshall scored in the 8th minute and Sunnie Yarnell added a second in the 34th, with Maria Armatas and Preslie Young combining on the assist.
Southern Utah pulled one back in the 61st, but Thordis Melsted made seven saves to preserve the result.
The win kept the Bears unbeaten in conference play and extended their run to four matches without a loss, their longest to open Big Sky play since 2021.
Scouting Portland State
The Vikings have struggled to score, managing eight goals in 13 matches for an average of 0.62 per game. They have been outshot 210-124 on the season and have generated just 31 corner kicks to their opponents' 87.
Aliayha Saldana leads the attack with three goals and an assist on a team-high 30 shots. Elle Frazier has two goals in ten appearances, and Camilla Contreras Bran and Yammile Picon have one each. Grace Sarabia has a team-best two assists.
Portland State has done most of its scoring early, with seven of its eight goals coming in the first half. The Vikings have been shut out eight times this season.
Goalkeeper Finley Crabtree has played all but 31 minutes, posting a 1.82 goals-against average with 62 saves and one shutout. She ranks third in the Big Sky in saves per game.
The Vikings opened conference play with losses at Utah Tech and Southern Utah, then beat Weber State 2-1 before falling 1-0 to Idaho State on Oct. 18.
Melsted Third in the Conference
Melsted has started all 14 matches in goal and ranks second in the Big Sky in saves per game at 5.43 and third in save percentage at .800. She has five shutouts, four of them in the last six matches.
Up Next
Northern Colorado stays home to host Montana on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 12 p.m. MT.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's soccer team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Â
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerSunday, October 11
Thursday, October 08
Thursday, September 10
Sunday, September 06
