Top Seeds Fall, Northern Colorado and Montana to Square Off in #BigSkySoccer Title Match
Big Sky Soccer Semifinals
Northern Colorado vs. Idaho -
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Weber State vs. Montana -
Box Score |
Photo Gallery
OGDEN, Utah (November 2, 2018) – Upsets were plentiful Friday as both Northern Colorado and Montana took down the top two seeds to advance to Sunday’s Big Sky Soccer Championship at Wildcat Soccer Field.
Northern Colorado’s high-powered offense continued to be on display Friday as the third-seeded Bears totaled three goals for the second-straight outing in a 3-0 shutout of No. 2 seed Idaho (9-7-3).
A game winner by Maddie Roberts in the 23rd minute came just 21 seconds before a strike by Taylor Bray to lift UNC to a 2-0 advantage. Bray also provided the third score for the Bears, snapping Idaho’s five-match shutout streak.
Northern Colorado (12-7-1) advances to the Big Sky Championship game for the second-straight year as the No. 3 seed and for the fourth time overall. The Bears will seek their second Big Sky tournament title in program history after defeating Idaho in a shootout in 2015.
Facing host Weber State (9-5-4), the Montana bench provided a home field advantage atmosphere for the Grizzlies’ starting 11 in a 2-0 semifinal victory over the top-seeded Wildcats.
After a 1-0 upset of No. 4 seed Northern Arizona on Wednesday, it was apparent the Montana (6-8-6) squad was still carrying that momentum as the Grizzlies jumped out to a 1-0 advantage just eight minutes into the match.
Alexa Coyle propelled Montana to a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as she sent a rocket just below the crossbar into the back of the net from 25 yards out.
Janessa Fowler, the hero for the Grizzlies in Wednesday’s victory, added some cushion for the fifth seed in the 32nd minute as she delivered a strike from inside the box.
In goal, Claire Howard collected her second shutout of the championship while making five saves.
The No. 1 seed woes continued Friday as Weber State joined a lengthy list of top seeds falling short of the Big Sky Championship. Eastern Washington (2017) and Idaho State (2012) are the only No. 1 seeds to capture the conference championship in the last 11 seasons.
With four Big Sky tournament titles, Montana advances to its league-record ninth championship game and first since 2012. The Grizzlies last captured the tournament championship in 2011.
The Grizzlies will look to avenge a 2-1 double overtime loss to the Bears from earlier this season as well as a 2-1 double overtime defeat in last year’s Big Sky semifinals.
Northern Colorado and Montana square off in the Big Sky championship match Sunday at 12:05 p.m. MT. The contest will air on Eleven Sports, Pluto TV and WatchBigSky.com with Jon Oglesby and Natalyn Lewis on the call. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA College Cup.