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Boise State vs. Northern Colorado ends in scoreless draw
Arbiter Staff, Matt Bedinger - Journalist
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JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER Freshman defender Adrienne Lommasson makes a play on the ball. Boise State broke even with N. Colorado Sunday at Boas Tennis/Soccer Complex 0-0.
Boise State University and University Northern Colorado battled to a scoreless tie in their final game of the Holiday Inn Classic Sunday afternoon in Boise, a stark contrast to what happened Friday evening against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Broncos outshot the Bears 23 to 8, but were stifled by UNC sophomore goalkeeper Kirsten Salminen, who picked up eight saves in the game and got some help from her defenders on a crucial shot.
Broncos senior goalkeeper Jen Burns wasn’t to be outdone, picking up the second consecutive shutout in goal for the BSU.
The first half was filled with chances for the Broncos, as they held possession for most of the time. They almost broke through 17 minutes in, as BSU junior forward Shannon Saxton beat the central defender, but was stuffed by Salminen’s strong challenge near the top of the 18. Just four minutes later, Boise State had two more chances, with Broncos freshman midfielder Maureen Fitzgerald putting the ball over the crossbar from 10 yards out, only to be followed seconds later by a good strike from sophomore middle fielder Chelsea Robinson that was tipped over the bar by the keeper. As the first half was drawing to a close, the Broncos made one more attack, crossing it in from the endline, only to once again be shot over the top.
Boise State came out with some fire and more energy to start the second half, nearly scoring twice about 5 minutes in. One minute later, BSU freshman forward Erica Parks had a near-breakaway, but was taken out by the goalkeeper going for the ball. No foul was called.
“You get kind of a second wind,” Burns said. “We were able to regroup at the half.”
In the 56th minute, Broncos junior defender Malia Hendrix hit a perfect through ball into the box, but no one was able to connect on the other side.
“We just didn’t finish,” Parks said. “We didn’t communicate well and we weren’t making the right runs. We just couldn’t get the ball in the net.”
One of BSU’s best chances came on a shot from senior Kaylea Perenon in the 75th minute. The midfielder rifled a shot from 25 yards out, hitting the crossbar, and the rebound fell to another BSU player near the 18 yard line, who failed to put the shot on net. In the final ten minutes of the half, both BSU and Northern Colorado threatened, making deep runs into each other’s sides, but failing to convert a winner.
In the first overtime, BSU had its best opportunity as a Bronco player won a header that Salminen tried to punch out and put it on frame, but another Northern Colorado player headed the ball off the line and out of play. Seven minutes into the second overtime, there was a scare from Northern Colorado from 18 yards out through traffic, but was handled well by Burns.
“I couldn’t see the shot at first,” Burns said, “but it was right at me luckily.”
In the final two minutes, the Broncos had one more good chance to notch a game-winner but the shot was again struck over the bar.
“Every game prepares us for conference play and every game we improve on something,” Burns said. “It’s just a matter of progression throughout the season and getting to know how to play together. Whoever is up top just needs to stay connected and play off of each other.”
Boise State’s next match is against North Dakota State University Friday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. The match will be played at the Boas Tennis/Soccer Complex.