Grizzlies play to another draw

Sunday, October 14

Missoula, Mont.

Noon

Montana

2-7-6, 1-2-4BSC

Northern Arizona

9-3-3, 5-0-2BSC

OT 3

OT 4

Northern Arizona

Montana

10/14/2018 4:44:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Montana Sports Information

If Friday's draw with Southern Utah damaged Montana's postseason outlook, Sunday's tie at South Campus Stadium in Missoula against red-hot Northern Arizona showed how disappointing it would be if the Grizzlies missed the Big Sky Conference tournament, which opens later this month in Ogden, Utah.

Facing a team that has yet to lose in conference, Montana didn't just play to a deadlock against the Lumberjacks. For stretches at least, the Grizzlies proved to be the better team, which continues a trend.

The higher the level of the opponent this fall, the better Montana seems to play, which is why the Grizzlies could be so dangerous should they advance beyond the regular season.

"They are unbeaten in conference play and a very good team. You have to be very good against them if you're going to win," said first-year coach Chris Citowicki of Sunday's opponent.

"For us to dominate in the middle of the field at times and create the chances we did, I was very happy with it. I felt like we had the better opportunities to win the game."

(10/14/2018) SO: vs. Northern Arizona (10.14.18)

Northern Arizona (9-3-3, 5-0-2 BSC), whose last loss came a full month ago, a 1-0 setback against Arizona State, hadn't allowed a goal in its previous five matches prior to Sunday and had won its last four games by 2-0 scores, including Friday at Northern Colorado.

But it was Montana that had the upper hand early, including a near breakaway less than 20 seconds into the match.

The Grizzlies (2-7-6, 1-2-4 BSC) would take four of the match's first five shots and limit the Lumberjacks to just one through the first 18 minutes.

"We're all just fighters. When we play a team that's tough with us and is a good team, we just want to fight back. We really get up for that," said Ellie Otteson, one of six players honored prior to the match on Senior Day.

"Today was a special day and everyone was hyped. We really wanted to get it done, so everyone is all smiles right now, even with the tie. We played great today. I'm proud of my team."

Montana outshot Northern Arizona by one and had its best chance in the 71st minute, when Avery Adams' shot was knocked down by an NAU defender. The ball went to Janessa Fowler six yards out in front, with the goalkeeper on the ground at the left post, but her sidewinder shot went wide.

Northern Arizona had six corner kicks to Montana's one. Claire Howard was up to the challenge, making five saves for her sixth shutout of the season, the 13th of her career.

It was Montana's sixth consecutive home game that went to overtime.

The win earned the Grizzlies a point in the standings and leaves them tied with Eastern Washington for sixth place with one weekend of league matches remaining.

Montana will play on Friday at Portland State, a team that has won three of its last four and is one spot ahead of the Grizzlies in fifth place after the Vikings' key road win at Sacramento State on Sunday.

The road trip will continue with a match on Sunday against the Hornets, a team one spot behind Montana.

With the Big Sky's top six teams advancing to the tournament, it will be a season-deciding weekend of matches for all involved. Ties, of which Montana now has six this season, four in league, probably won't get it done.

"We've got to win some games. In the end it comes back to winning games, and we've been coming up with ties," said Citowicki. "Hopefully we'll get a couple results next week, but it won't be an easy road trip. Portland is a good team. Sac State is a good team. We'll see what happens."