Box Score GREELEY, Colo.--Jody Alvarez's header 6 minutes and 32 seconds into overtime was the difference as Northern Colorado topped North Dakota State on Sunday, Oct. 17, in the championship game of the Best Western Regency Northern Colorado Classic.
NDSU (5-7-1) ventured into a record-breaking fifth overtime match of the season only to be turned away by former North Central Conference and fellow Division I independent UNC before a crowd of 328 at Butler-Hancock Field.
The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Bison who finished in a tie for second place with South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits also went 1-1 in the tournament.
Northern Colorado put the first goal on the scoreboard at the 21-minute mark when Nicky Harris scored her first goal of the season for the Bears off a corner kick. UNC posted nine corner kicks in the match. NDSU had five.
Jessica Rodgers answered for the Bison just five minutes later on a free kick from midfield. Rodgers hammered home her fifth goal of the season with an assist from freshman Chelsea Body.
Both teams attempted 9 shots in the second half and saw no scoring as the two teams headed into extra time. For NDSU, it was the fifth overtime match of the season, breaking a team record for most overtime games in a season. The previous mark was four set back in the 2002 season, when the Bison went 0-2-2 in overtime games. NDSU is now 1-3-1 in overtime games in 2004.
At 96:32, Alvarez broke through for the Bears and scored the game-winner with an assist from Chelsey Ekenberg.
NDSU goalkeeper Kelli Reed battled UNC goalie Chrissy Marvin to a standstill. Reed finished with eight saves and Marvin nine. The Bison goalie suffered her first loss on the season (3-1-0).
Northern Colorado finished with 24 shots. NDSU had 13. Rodgers led the Bison attack with four shots. Jessica Parker, Michelle Martinez and Body all fired two shots. NDSU's Carly Christensen, Sarah Panzer and Erin Tierney all finished with one shot.
The Bison continue road play next weekend when they travel to Drake University on Friday, Oct. 22. The Bulldogs will entertain the Bison in a 7 p.m. kickoff in Des Moines, Iowa. Then NDSU will travel to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota for Gopher homecoming on Sunday, Oct. 24. Opening kick is slated for 1 p.m.
Tournament Notes: North Dakota State forwards Jessica Rodgers and Jami Rozell were recognized for their play over the weekend by being named to the Best Western Regency UNC Classic All-Tournament Team. Rodgers scored two goals in the tournament, while Rozell's hard-nosed play earned her the honor. Kelli Reed also represented the Bison on the all-tourney team. The junior goalkeeper finished with 16 saves in the tournament, including a shutout over Carroll College (2-0) on Friday.
All Tournament Team
· Marika Johnson - Northern Colorado
· Megan Bellendir - Northern Colorado
· Kristel Lohmann - Northern Colorado
· Kerry Pitt - Northern Colorado
· Kelli Reed - North Dakota State
· Jessica Rodgers - North Dakota State
· Jami Rozell - North Dakota State
· Alissa Bernth - South Dakota State
· Vanessa Paswaters - South Dakota State
· Kelsey Worcester - South Dakota State
· Linday Loraas - Carroll College
· Cassidy Merrick - Carroll College
Final Team Standings
1. Northern Colorado (2-0)
2. North Dakota State (1-1)
2. South Dakota State (1-1)
4. Carroll College (0-2)
