Women's Soccer 10/13/2012 5:16:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds Earn Draw at Northern Colorado

GREELEY, Colo., 10/12/12 – The Southern Utah University soccer team earned a 1-1 draw at Northern Colorado Friday. Senior forward Stacey Brinkman netted her team-leading third goal of the season in the game's final minutes to pull the score even. The two teams then played through two scoreless overtime periods as goalkeeper Charly Booth upped her save count to 11 in the match to help the Thunderbirds come away with a split decision.

“This is a reflection of all the hard-work and sacrifice that this team has made, it's the culmination of a long path,” explained Hogan. “As a team it's hard to go so long being the only one that knows how good you are. This gives us some validation, it lets other people know that we are a good team.”

The SUU goalkeeper was put to the challenge from the beginning as the Bears fired off eight shots in the first half but came away empty as Booth made six stops in the period to keep the match scoreless at the break.

Neither team would be able to get on the board until Northern Colorado midfielder Madison Yoswa evaded the SUU defense and fired a shot in from the edge of the box in the fifty-third minute to put the Bears up 1-0.

The home team held the advantage until the final minutes when Brinkman blasted the ball into the upper right corner of the net from the middle of the box in the eighty-second minute to pull the score level at a goal apiece.

The contest eventually went into overtime where both sides had a pair of looks at a game-clinching score but were thwarted by the opposing keeper. It was Southern Utah who threatened first as Brinkman had a look at her second goal of the night, but Natalie D'Adamio was there to make the save for Northern Colorado. Morgan Bridge also put a shot on frame as the extra period was winding down, but D'Adamio was once again able to come up with the stop. The count would remain 1-1 through both overtime periods, ending the match in a stalemate.

“This result is even more impressive considering that we were without Kirsten Anthony, Andrea Albrecht and Savannah Spere, who have all been regular starters for us this season,” commented Hogan. “We also moved Meehan into the midfield and Krenzer back to the center back position, and they both played great for us.”

Northern Colorado held a 22-8 advantage in the shooting column in the contest, but the Thunderbird defense helped them become the first Big Sky opponent to leave Greeley with a result other than a loss for the first time this season.

“Charly had arguably her best game, but it seems like every time she plays she is even better than the last time,” said Hogan. “She made a couple of tough saves. Northern Colorado has some really good finishers, but she made it look easy.”

The draw moves Southern Utah to 0-5-1 in conference play and 1-9-2 for the year. The Bears go to 3-1-2 and 5-5-4 overall. Brinkman's goal brought her career total to 17, just one shy of the program's all-time leader Shaley Ipson Allen.

“Stacey and I have talked about how she needed to get out of her own way. She has been trying too hard and putting a lot of weight on her own shoulders. Tonight she played simple and easy, she kept it fun and played with a lot of energy,” commented Hogan. “That was a big-time finish, highlight reel material. Her shot was confident and that was definitely her best goal of the season.”

SUU will be back on the pitch this Sunday with a visit to North Dakota. The match between the Thunderbirds and UND is set to get underway at 11:00 a.m. (MST)

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Players Mentioned

#17 Andrea Albrecht: D; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#21 Kirsten Anthony: MF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#1 Charly Booth: GK; 5' 8"; Senior

#5 Morgan Bridge: MF/D; 5' 7"; Senior

#7 Stacey Brinkman: F; 5' 8"; Senior

#8 Savannah Spere: MF/D; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#17 Andrea Albrecht
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: D

#21 Kirsten Anthony
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: MF

#1 Charly Booth
: 5' 8"; Senior
: GK

#5 Morgan Bridge
: 5' 7"; Senior
: MF/D

#7 Stacey Brinkman
: 5' 8"; Senior
: F

#8 Savannah Spere
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: MF/D