Bears Open Big Sky Play with Scoreless Draw Against Idaho

Thursday, October 8

Greeley, Colo.

12 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

3-5-3, 0-0-1

Idaho

7-2-4, 1-0-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Idaho	0	0	0
Northern Colo.	0	0	0

Box Score (PDF)

10/8/2026 2:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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By: Aiden Tank, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado opened Big Sky Conference play with a 0-0 draw against Idaho Thursday afternoon at Jackson Stadium, earning a point against the highest-rated team in the conference.

The result moves the Bears to 3-5-3 overall and 0-0-1 in Big Sky play. Idaho sits at 7-2-4 and is now 1-0-2 in conference.

The Vandals entered the match unbeaten in their last three, and the Bears held them without a goal across 90 minutes.

"Really pleased with the performance," head coach Tim Barrera said. "We have the highest-rated team in the conference coming in as far as RPI. They've had a really good year, and to get a draw out of it, get a point, in the first conference game is great. Obviously always looking for the win, but I think we played well in a lot of areas."

Melsted's Third Penalty Save
Idaho's best chance came in the seventh minute, when the Vandals were awarded a penalty kick. Thordis Melsted stopped it, her third penalty save of the season, and the Bears kept the visitors off the board from there.

"It's my third penalty save this season, so I'm definitely pumped up about that," Melsted said. "I just feel so much energy and so much support from the team that I know, even if I hadn't saved it, I know my team would be behind me."

She finished with three saves on the afternoon, holding Idaho to just five shots and three on target.

"We played well defensively. They only had three shots on goal, which we can see just every game we're getting better at stopping those shots," Melsted said. "Everyone on defense, we all work so well together, and even the midfielders, it just has become easier and easier for us to be able to stop those goals and shots."

Bears Control the First Half
Northern Colorado outshot Idaho 11-5 on the match and 6-1 in the first half, generating nine corner kicks to Idaho's two. The Bears put two shots on goal, with Maria Armatas and Anneliese Wong each forcing saves from Idaho goalkeeper Paula Flores.

Mia Norman took two shots in the opening half, and Esja Moore, Lexi Tuite, Ava Marshall, Paige Hill and Madeline Mori all recorded attempts.

"I think in the first half, with our possession, we were able to create a bunch of corner kicks, and those are always dangerous," Barrera said. "Pleased with how well we were able to keep the ball at times. Some things to work on for sure, but I think we got some really good performances by quite a few players."

Responding After a Difficult Stretch
The match followed a three-match road trip that closed with losses at San Diego State and Boise State, then a bye week. Barrera said the break served its purpose.

"We knew that the last two non-conference with San Diego State and Boise were big challenges. They're both probably in top 40 right now in RPI," he said. "They came back and worked hard in training and got focused in for the conference season. Bye week was great to kind of recharge, and I think we came out flying today."

Up Next
Northern Colorado stays home for a second consecutive conference match, hosting Eastern Washington on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 12 p.m. MT at Jackson Stadium.