Bears Beat Northern Arizona, Clinch No. 2 Seed - University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Thursday, November 5

Greeley, Colo.

1 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

9-6-4, 6-1-2

Northern Arizona

8-6-5, 4-2-3

Team	1	2	Final F
Northern Ariz.	0	0	0
Northern Colo.	2	1	3

Box Score (PDF)

Photo by: Kassidy Schwartz, UNC Athletics

11/5/2026 4:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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By: Aiden Tank, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado closed the regular season with a 3-0 win over Northern Arizona Thursday at Jackson Stadium, clinching the No. 2 seed in the Big Sky Tournament and the program's first tournament berth since 2021.

The Bears finish the regular season 9-6-4 overall and 6-1-2 in conference play. Northern Arizona falls to 8-6-5 and 4-2-3.

Marshall's Streak
Ava Marshall scored twice, giving her goals in five straight matches, all in conference play. She is believed to be the first Bear to do that in the Division I era, and the goals give her the team lead for the season. Mia Norman had the assist on Marshall's goal.

Anneliese Wong also scored, with Francesca Jordan providing the assist.

Eighth Shutout
Thordis Melsted recorded her eighth shutout of the season, the fourth-most in a career in the program's Division I era. As a team, the Bears have now posted their most shutouts in a season since 2017, and they have allowed just four goals across nine conference matches.

Head coach Tim Barrera pointed to that group as the reason the Bears finished where they did.

"It's a really experienced veteran group," Barrera said. "Give up four goals in nine games and that's really impressive. They know each other so well and cover for each other, and each game there are opportunities for other teams that we shut down."

The Seed Matters
The No. 2 seed gives Northern Colorado a bye into the semifinals, meaning the Bears need to win two matches rather than three to take the tournament title.

"That's huge," senior Paige Hill said. "We have that extra day now. And I think just applying our scouting reports, coming out and working hard for everyone will do it."

Barrera said the schedule helps this year.

"The good part is this year, as opposed to other years, other years you'd have to wait 10 days to play," Barrera said. "Now it's like a normal week. We just have to recover for a couple players and keep working on what we're working on, get rest where we need it, and be ready to go when we get to Missoula."

What's Ahead
The Bears travel to Montana for the Big Sky Tournament and will play Friday, Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m. MT against the winner of Northern Arizona and Idaho State.

Jordan said the group's approach does not change.

"I think we just need to keep doing what we're doing well and stay together," Jordan said. "The good thing about this team is everyone wants to do it for the person next to them."

Up Next
Northern Colorado plays in the Big Sky Tournament in Missoula, Mont., on Friday, Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m. MT.

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