2008 Woodie Awards
Final soccer game do or die for Bears
Peter Rossi
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Win and they're in. Lose and they start booking their ski trips for the winter.
The University of Northern Colorado women's soccer team controls its own destiny when they take on the University of Northern Arizona at noon on Saturday. The Bears (6-8-2, 2-2-2) will make the Big Sky Conference tournament if they get the victory. If they lose, they would finish outside of the top four spots eligible for the tournament.
The Bears are in an appealing situation, knowing they still have something to play for in the final match. UNC coach Tim Barrera said he wished they were already in the tournament, but is happy with the opportunity they have put themselves in. He also said he was pleased the team doesn't have to rely on a victory from another team to get in.
"Obviously we're happy to be in the position to play for something," Barrera said. "We're in a position and if we can get into the tournament, it's only four teams and the winner goes to the NCAA tournament."
Sophomore forward Jessica Zimmerman, second on the squad in shots, agreed with Barrera. She said the team has motivation to play well and a reward for victory in the conference tournament.
"I like being in this position because that means we just have to play that much harder because if we lose, we're out and if we win, we're in," Zimmerman said.
The Bears will also play with motivation to win for their seniors on Saturday afternoon. Kayla Oakley, Megan Miller, Kerry Pitt and Marika Johnson are the four seniors. The four athletes will be playing their last home match of their respective careers.
Oakley, a senior defender who has endured three previous seasons with no postseason eligibility due to NCAA regulations for teams transitioning into Division I, is excited about the chance to gain a birth into the Big Sky tournament.
"It's nice to be in this situation because we've never been in this kind of position before," Oakley said. "It's important for us seniors to play tough and come out with a win."
Zimmerman said the seniors have been through the tough times of UNC soccer and wants to get a win for the veterans.
"They've been busting their butts for four years so it would be really great to get a win for them on Saturday," Zimmerman said. "I think it's one of the most important things we have to do."
Barrera credited the seniors for working hard and sticking out a trying situation.
"The regular season is really where they haven't had too much to play for except pride," Barrera said. "So to be in a conference and have an opportunity to get into the conference tournament is pretty special for them."
With just one game left, the seniors and the rest of the Bears will have to play a cohesive match and finish opportunities to defeat NAU. The Bears have scored only one goal in the past four matches, but have been stout defensively
The Bears aren't planning on booking ski trips any time soon.
The University of Northern Colorado women's soccer team controls its own destiny when they take on the University of Northern Arizona at noon on Saturday. The Bears (6-8-2, 2-2-2) will make the Big Sky Conference tournament if they get the victory. If they lose, they would finish outside of the top four spots eligible for the tournament.
The Bears are in an appealing situation, knowing they still have something to play for in the final match. UNC coach Tim Barrera said he wished they were already in the tournament, but is happy with the opportunity they have put themselves in. He also said he was pleased the team doesn't have to rely on a victory from another team to get in.
"Obviously we're happy to be in the position to play for something," Barrera said. "We're in a position and if we can get into the tournament, it's only four teams and the winner goes to the NCAA tournament."
Sophomore forward Jessica Zimmerman, second on the squad in shots, agreed with Barrera. She said the team has motivation to play well and a reward for victory in the conference tournament.
"I like being in this position because that means we just have to play that much harder because if we lose, we're out and if we win, we're in," Zimmerman said.
The Bears will also play with motivation to win for their seniors on Saturday afternoon. Kayla Oakley, Megan Miller, Kerry Pitt and Marika Johnson are the four seniors. The four athletes will be playing their last home match of their respective careers.
Oakley, a senior defender who has endured three previous seasons with no postseason eligibility due to NCAA regulations for teams transitioning into Division I, is excited about the chance to gain a birth into the Big Sky tournament.
"It's nice to be in this situation because we've never been in this kind of position before," Oakley said. "It's important for us seniors to play tough and come out with a win."
Zimmerman said the seniors have been through the tough times of UNC soccer and wants to get a win for the veterans.
"They've been busting their butts for four years so it would be really great to get a win for them on Saturday," Zimmerman said. "I think it's one of the most important things we have to do."
Barrera credited the seniors for working hard and sticking out a trying situation.
"The regular season is really where they haven't had too much to play for except pride," Barrera said. "So to be in a conference and have an opportunity to get into the conference tournament is pretty special for them."
With just one game left, the seniors and the rest of the Bears will have to play a cohesive match and finish opportunities to defeat NAU. The Bears have scored only one goal in the past four matches, but have been stout defensively
The Bears aren't planning on booking ski trips any time soon.
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