2008 Woodie Awards
Bears clinch playoffs
UNC wins do-or-die game against NAU
Peter Rossi
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Sports
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They ignored the fact that this is the first year they were eligible to play in the postseason. They dismissed doubters and simply handled their business.
The University of Northern Colorado soccer team showed grit and perseverance in a physical 1-0 victory against Northern Arizona on Saturday afternoon, which sent them into the Big Sky Conference playoffs.
The match was even throughout, with NAU pressuring the Bears in the first half. Momentum shifted in the second half and UNC started attacking the Lumberjacks defense.
With nine minutes remaining in the match, the Bears earned a corner kick. Freshman mid-fielder Brittany Knott controlled the corner kick from senior defender Megan Miller and then centered a pass to sophomore forward Jessica Zimmerman., who played a soft pass to Sydney Vander Velde. The sophomore midfielder was a step ahead of the NAU defender and beat the keeper to the lower right corner for her fourth goal of the year.
"Laura stopped it right on a line and then she laid it back to Jess and Jess played it right to the penalty spot," Vander Velde said. "The goalie was outside and I just slotted it in."
On a day when five seniors were honored for their hand in the transition to Division I, the Bears were able to prevail and make the Big Sky Conference tournament. Miller, Kayla Oakley, Kerry Pitt, Marika Johnson and Megan Bellendir, who is in her fourth year but red shirted last year with a knee injury, were recognized for their time in the program.
Johnson, a senior captain who hit the post twice in the match, said this was a signature win for the program. The seniors have played the last three seasons without being eligible for postseason play.
"The first three years we were here, we didn't have anything to play for and this year we were fortunate to have the postseason to play for," Johnson said. "Everybody played for each other, especially the seniors, just to get a win."
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