Friday, April 2
Sacramento, Calif.
4 PM (MT)
Montana
6-0-0, 5-0-0BSC
1
at
0
Sacramento State
1-3-4, 0-3-2BSC
1
2
3
F
Montana
0
0
1
1
Sacramento State
0
0
0
0
Griz pull out another dramatic win
4/2/2021 9:43:00 PM | Soccer
The Montana soccer team remained undefeated on the season by pulling out a dramatic 1-0 overtime win at Sacramento State on Friday afternoon.
After the teams played 90 scoreless minutes at Hornet Field, Sami Siems headed in a pass from Avery Adams 5:02 into the first overtime to give the Grizzlies (6-0-0, 5-0-0 BSC) the win.
"It's one of the nicest goals we've ever scored in my time here, just the whole buildup, the ball over the top from Avery, the finish from Sami. Just beautiful," said coach Chris Citowicki.
The win upped Montana's regular-season unbeaten streak against Big Sky Conference opponents to 18 games, a streak that dates back to October 2018.
It also gave the Grizzlies two wins in two overtime games this spring after going 0-2-12 in overtime games in Citowicki's first two seasons.
"We've got the right group of people who just don't want to lose," said Citowicki. "We have seniors who want to go out on a high.
"They are not going to let us lose these games. You could feel it going into overtime."
The game kicked off under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s, which proved to be an issue for the team from Montana in early April.
"I felt like the heat was really sapping this group," said Citowicki, whose team still outshot the Hornets 7-1 in the first half, 16-3 for the game.
"The second-half plan was to sub every 15 minutes. If we sub every 15 minutes, it will keep the energy up and it will allow us to be better."
Citowicki went seven reserves into his bench, with Jaden Griggs playing 51 minutes, Alejandra Melendez 39, three others more than 20.
"To be able to cycle through the team like that, to be able to trust everybody, to maintain composure and play the way I want to play, even when we're subbing the way we were, it shows you the depth we have," said Citowicki.
The game nearly didn't make it to overtime. Rita Lang took a shot early in the 90th minute that was saved by Sac State goalkeeper Katie Price.
The Hornets went the other direction and put a shot on goal 27 seconds later that Claire Howard had to save, one of two for her on the day.
"We created some great chances. Rita had one that their keeper saved beautifully, and they went straight down to the end and Claire made an amazing save on the end line to keep it 0-0," said Citowicki.
Montana took possession of the ball midway through the opening overtime period, got it to Adams, who waited patiently before floating in the pass that Siems would head past a charging Price.
With no one left to stop it, the ball bounced in for Siems' second career goal.
"Before overtime, the conversation was, let's not just be hyped to try to win this game. We have to win it the right way. We have to build to a moment that is going to be the game-winning goal," said Citowicki.
"That's what we did. It builds down the left, moves its way into the middle to Avery, who holds it just long enough for Sami to make a deep run in behind their back line. Avery chips it over the back line and Sami heads it over the goalkeeper. Just amazing."
It was Adams' first assist of the season, the fourth of her career. It came seven days after she scored twice, her first two collegiate goals, in Montana's 2-1 home win over Portland State last Friday night in Missoula.
Taylor Hansen, Allie Larsen and Molly Quarry all played 95 minutes across a back line that posted its fifth shutout in six games.
Montana and Sacramento State (1-3-4, 0-3-2 BSC) will play again at 1 p.m. (MT) on Sunday.
After the teams played 90 scoreless minutes at Hornet Field, Sami Siems headed in a pass from Avery Adams 5:02 into the first overtime to give the Grizzlies (6-0-0, 5-0-0 BSC) the win.
"It's one of the nicest goals we've ever scored in my time here, just the whole buildup, the ball over the top from Avery, the finish from Sami. Just beautiful," said coach Chris Citowicki.
The win upped Montana's regular-season unbeaten streak against Big Sky Conference opponents to 18 games, a streak that dates back to October 2018.
It also gave the Grizzlies two wins in two overtime games this spring after going 0-2-12 in overtime games in Citowicki's first two seasons.
"We've got the right group of people who just don't want to lose," said Citowicki. "We have seniors who want to go out on a high.
"They are not going to let us lose these games. You could feel it going into overtime."
The game kicked off under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s, which proved to be an issue for the team from Montana in early April.
"I felt like the heat was really sapping this group," said Citowicki, whose team still outshot the Hornets 7-1 in the first half, 16-3 for the game.
"The second-half plan was to sub every 15 minutes. If we sub every 15 minutes, it will keep the energy up and it will allow us to be better."
Citowicki went seven reserves into his bench, with Jaden Griggs playing 51 minutes, Alejandra Melendez 39, three others more than 20.
"To be able to cycle through the team like that, to be able to trust everybody, to maintain composure and play the way I want to play, even when we're subbing the way we were, it shows you the depth we have," said Citowicki.
The game nearly didn't make it to overtime. Rita Lang took a shot early in the 90th minute that was saved by Sac State goalkeeper Katie Price.
The Hornets went the other direction and put a shot on goal 27 seconds later that Claire Howard had to save, one of two for her on the day.
"We created some great chances. Rita had one that their keeper saved beautifully, and they went straight down to the end and Claire made an amazing save on the end line to keep it 0-0," said Citowicki.
Montana took possession of the ball midway through the opening overtime period, got it to Adams, who waited patiently before floating in the pass that Siems would head past a charging Price.
With no one left to stop it, the ball bounced in for Siems' second career goal.
"Before overtime, the conversation was, let's not just be hyped to try to win this game. We have to win it the right way. We have to build to a moment that is going to be the game-winning goal," said Citowicki.
"That's what we did. It builds down the left, moves its way into the middle to Avery, who holds it just long enough for Sami to make a deep run in behind their back line. Avery chips it over the back line and Sami heads it over the goalkeeper. Just amazing."
It was Adams' first assist of the season, the fourth of her career. It came seven days after she scored twice, her first two collegiate goals, in Montana's 2-1 home win over Portland State last Friday night in Missoula.
Taylor Hansen, Allie Larsen and Molly Quarry all played 95 minutes across a back line that posted its fifth shutout in six games.
Montana and Sacramento State (1-3-4, 0-3-2 BSC) will play again at 1 p.m. (MT) on Sunday.
Team Stats
UM
SAC
Goals
1
0
Shots
16
3
Shots on Goal
7
2
Saves
2
6
Corners
3
6
Fouls
13
12
Scoring Plays
Siems, Sami (1)
Assisted By: Adams, Avery
GOAL by UM Siems, Sami (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Adams, Avery, goal number 1 for season.
95:02
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
G
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
M
/ Soccer
D
/ SoccerM
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