Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Northern Colorado
POSTSEASON BOUND: 'Cats earn Big Sky berth
10/20/2012 9:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OGDEN, Utah - The Wildcats are postseason bound.
Needing to claim at least a point to advance to the 2012 version of the Big Sky Conference championship tournament, the Weber State University women's soccer team got exactly that as they finished in a 1-1 draw with the University of Northern Colorado on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Soccer Field.
"The girls put it all out there today," Weber State coach Tim Crompton said. "Northern Colorado was the defending conference champions and we knew they were going to fight to the end.
"They are well coached and the game could've gone either way. A draw is a fair result. We are excited to be moving on and look forward to preparing for the tournament."
Weber State wraps up its Big Sky season with 16 points at 5-3-1 (7-10-1 overall). The Wildcats will take the No. 4 seed into the Big Sky tournament and will face top-seed and host Idaho State on Nov. 2 at Davis Field in Pocatello, Idaho. Portland State will be the No. 2 seed and face third-seeded Montana in the other semifinal.
"I was excited to get a goal. It was a great team effort," freshman central midfielder Chansi Crompton said. "We knew that UNC was going to give everything they had. The regular season is behind us now, so it's all about our next game."
Crompton scored her team co-leading fourth goal of the season in the 27th minute, easily knocking home a cross from junior forward Sarah Mager, who made a strong step around a Northern Colorado defender and then found Crompton open for the 1-0 lead.
Northern Colorado rallied in the 40th minute when Tara Rickenbach latched onto a failed clearance and crossed the ball to Lauren Vallen, who crashed it just inside the far post to level the match at 1-1.
Both teams had opportunities coming down the stretch in regulation and in the overtime periods, including a shot by the Bears that came off the post.
Weber State's defense, however, came up with the plays it needed to close out the match level and earn a postseason berth for the second consecutive year.
The Wildcats finished with a 22-12 advantage in shots, including a 7-6 on frame.
Weber State on Saturday also honored the team's lone senior, forward Ari (Wood) Aki. Aki is currently in the top 10 in Weber State history in career matches played (75) and goals scored (12).
"There were so many different emotions that I was feeling today, from thankful for the many years of soccer I've enjoyed to devastated that the end is near, to nervous because of the importance of the game," Aki said. "I am so appreciative of my teammates for working so hard and doing what needed to be done to get in the Big Sky tournament. Also my family for all the support they have given me.
"I don't know that I'll ever be ready for my collegiate carreer to be over, but for sure I wasn't ready today, especially after getting injured and not being able to finish out the game.
"I'm looking forward to battling it out in two weeks for a chance to compete in the NCAA tournament."
