Posts tagged Tori Cooper
Historic Run For CU Soccer Ends In Sweet 16 At No. 3 FSU
Nov 24th
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Colorado soccer team’s historic season has come to an end as the Buffaloes fell 4-0 to No. 3 ranked Florida State in Saturday’s Sweet 16 match-up.
The No. 1 seeded Seminoles scored three goals in the first 15 minutes, and the Buffs could never find the footing to respond.
For only the fourth time this season, the Buffs allowed an opponent to take over 20 shots. The Seminoles took 24, while holding the Buffs to a season-low four (marking just the sixth time this year the Buffs have taken fewer than 10 shots in a game). Senior Anne Stuller (who set season records at CU this year with 93 shots and 53 shots on goal) led CU with two shots and one on goal. Senior co-captain Annie Brunner grabbed three saves in the net.
“This whole season has been a dream for me,” Stuller said. “We knew we were coming in today with a big challenge ahead of us and Florida State showed us what a good team they were but I’m not going to hang my head. I have so much to be proud of and how proud I am of my team.”
CU senior soccer player Anne Stuller is proud of her team, which finished the best in CU history
After beginning the year with a program-best five shutouts and six wins, CU concludes its record-breaking season with a 14-7-2 record – marking just the fifth time in program history the Buffs won at least 14 games in a single season. As it did in 2006 – the Buffs’ only other trip to the Sweet 16 – CU’s season is put to an end by a top three ranked Atlantic Coast Conference opponent (the Buffs fell to No. 1 Notre Dame in ’06).
Florida State keeps alive the nation’s longest active streak of trips to the NCAA quarterfinals, reaching the fourth round for the ninth consecutive year. FSU improves to 21-1-3, with its only loss coming to No. 1 Virginia and extends its home unbeaten streak to 34 games (and to 31 games in NCAA play). The Seminoles are the only remaining seeded team in their quadrant of the bracket. They will face the winner of the Boston College-Illinois (who both took down seeded teams in the Round of 32) match-up next Friday in the Elite Eight.
“I think that Florida State is very good, I’m just going to state the obvious,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We have played a lot of good teams this year but just the way that they came out and the way they possessed and created chances; getting that early goal, I think that we needed to get through that first stretch of the game and that didn’t happen. Then after that we were just chasing the game. I am proud of the team and how they continued to battle. I mean we gave up three goals in the first 14 minutes and it could have gotten ugly.”
The first half belonged to the Seminoles, with FSU outshooting CU 14-2. It took just 36 seconds for the Seminoles to take their first shot, with Carson Pickett knocking the left post. Less than one minute later, FSU had grabbed the lead. At 1:19, Michaela Hahn crossed to the far post to Dagny Brynjarsdottir, who headed one in past the keeper.
Two shots and less than six minutes later, FSU was ready to score again. The Noles extended their lead to 2-0 at 6:59 as Brynjarsdottir took little time to record her fourth multiple goal game of the season. Isabella Schmid found Jamia Fields at the right edge, who crossed to Brynjarsdottir near the net. Her header bounced off the left post, and came into the net off Brunner.
The Buffs continued to struggle to make any moves into FSU territory, taking until the 12th minute to take their first of two first half shots – with Madison Krauser breaking away from the pack to shoot wide right. The Noles’ attack continued to perplex the CU defense, scoring again in the 15th minute to increase their lead to 3-0. Megan Campbell took a free kick from just beyond midfield, sending her strike to the net, where Kristin Grubka headed inside the left post.
In the final 30 minutes, the Buffs regained some focus. In a 22 minute span, the Buffs held the surging Seminoles to four shots with all but one off the mark. During that time, the Buffs were able to pick up some offensive momentum, when Brie Hooks came up with a big tackle just behind the FSU box to help Anne Stuller get free and shoot at the keeper.
FSU came back with a vengeance in the closing minutes of the half, taking three more shots. The Buffs defense held strong, blocking one and forcing the other two wide. With under minutes remaining before the break, FSU seemed to push their lead to 4-0 off an own goal when a throw-in reached the net, but the Seminoles were called offsides, keeping their lead at 3-0.
To the favor of the Buffs, the second half started off more slowly than the first, with CU getting the first offensive opportunity. In the 50th minute, Stuller rushed from the center, and crossed to Hooks at the right, setting up a corner kick. The ball got in front of the net, and despite lots of FSU players making contact, Hayley Hughes was able to strike the ball (a shot that would go high) as a Seminole defender went down.
The Buffs began to play more aggressively with an increased pressure (especially from Lizzy Herzl, who had several strong clearances) trying to limit the Seminole attack. In the 56th minute, while Brunner was drawn out of the net, Kassey Kallman gave her shot a bit too much heat, hitting the ball high. With more shots starting to come her way, Brunner picked up back-to-back saves.
In the 64th minute, the Buffs had a chance to bounce back, when Tori Cooper drew a foul just outside the penalty box, setting up great positioning for a free kick. Stuller put her striking skills to the test, but hit her ball high. The shot would be the Buffs’ last of the game.
Following a CU yellow card in the 70th minute, FSU was able to grab some momentum. There was lots of movement at the net following the free kick. Hahn got the ball at distance from Kallman and beat the keeper as Brunner tried to jump on the save, but the ball slid just to her right.
The pace would slow in the final 20 minutes, but the Seminoles would still take four more shots and continue to press the Buffs defensively until the final minute.
“I think that Florida State took their foot off the gas a little bit, but they still had their starting back four in there at the end and they were still pressing us,” Sanchez said. “I was pleased though how we played the second half and kept competing and playing with pride. This doesn’t diminish what this team has accomplished this year and where they came from this preseason getting picked 10th in the Pac 12, tied for last place for last year and then having the opportunity to play in the Sweet 16 against a great team like Florida State who will compete for a national championship, so there is no shame in that so I’m proud of this group.”
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Marlee Horn Graduate Assistant SID University of Colorado
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CU soccer team needs overtime to beat U of Washington
Oct 14th
SEATTLE – After a slow start at the Husky Soccer Complex, senior Anne Stuller gave the University of Colorado soccer team the upper-hand over Washington, netting the game-winner in the sixth minute of overtime.
The Pac-12 Conference leader in shots and corner kicks, the Buffs have had to fight against tough defensive pressure in their first true road trip of the season. Though they entered the game averaging 9.31 first half shots, the Huskies limited the Buffs to just one shot in the opening 45 minutes, marking just the fourth time this season the Buffs have taken fewer than five shots in the first half.
Anne Stuller reacts after scoring a goal in overtime to beat Washington
“Washington is great defensively and they have a very good goalkeeper,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “There just wasn’t a lot of chances to be had either way for us. I felt that defensively, we were really tight and we limited their opportunities. We knew that there wouldn’t be a lot of chances to be had, but fortunately for us, the one good chance we had, we took care of.”
With their first road victory of the season, Colorado improves to 11-3 overall, 3-2 Pac-12. The Buffs are now a perfect 2-0 in overtime matches in 2013. Despite taking only one shot in the first half, CU outshot UW 15-11, including a six to two differential on goal. Continuing to shine in the net, Annie Brunner has become just the third CU keeper to record at least 11 wins in a single season. The shutout was Brunner’s eighth of the season, topping her 2012 total of 7.1.
Previously undefeated in Pac-12 play, with wins over USC and Utah and a double-overtime tie against then No. 3 UCLA, Washington slips to 6-6-2, 2-1-2 Pac-12. Redshirt junior Kate Bennett led the Huskies with five shots, taking both of the team’s shots on goal.
“It was a hard fought Pac-12 match,” Sanchez said. “Washington’s on a great roll. They’re tough to score on. They hadn’t given up a goal in Pac-12 play, so we knew it’d take something special. Anne Stuller did something special to win it for us.”
The Buffs got an opportunity in the opening 15 minutes when Madison Krauser, who led the Buffs with six shots, got the ball deep in Washington territory. From the 18 yard line, defensive pressure forced her to make a move, but she couldn’t get enough power on the kick to take a shot. Washington was quick to respond, causing commotion near the Buffs’ net, but CU finally got a good clearance to send the ball back in the other direction.
It wasn’t until the 27th minute that the Huskies were able to take the first shot of the game. A cross found Bennett at the net, but her shot was blocked, and Brunner came out to meet it. Less than four minutes later, UW was back on the attack, but this time Bennett sent the ball wide from close range. The Huskies continued to press the net. Brooke Rice looked strong on the defensive side of the ball, blocking any looks at the net. Though UW got a corner kick, the shot went long and helped the Buffs take over on the offense.
CU got its best chance of the half in the 36th minute. From the middle of the box, Darcy Jerman crossed left to Krauser, who was stopped by her defender, setting up a corner kick. Alex Huynh got her head on the ball, but the Buffs’ sole shot of the half was blocked. The Buffs retained possession, but a CU foul finally allowed UW to get the ball.
In the final five minutes, Washington caused several close calls for the Buffs. Getting the ball from the right corner of the box, Jaclyn Softli got within 12 yards, but her header was blocked by a CU defender. Though the Buffs got back deep into UW territory, a final throw in got away from them, allowing the Huskies to rush to the Buffs’ net. Brunner came out of the net in anticipation, leaving an empty net for Softli. Softli slammed the ball just left of the post, keeping the game scoreless at the break.
After taking just one shot in the first 45 minutes, the Buffs opened the second half on an offensive stride, with Krauser taking two shots in the first nine minutes. The Buffs continued to press the net and dictate the tempo, getting another opportunity off back-to-back shots by Krauser and Stuller.
Washington couldn’t regroup on the offense until the 69th minute, with Bennett shooting at the keeper. Bennett was on it again at 70:20, this time getting blocked. Following a corner kick, the Huskies sent another shot wide. Unwilling to remain in a defensive fight, the Buffs attacked the UW net. Tori Cooper got to the net and shot from close range, striking at Megan Kufeld, who had come out of the net.
The Huskies responded with a great chance of their own in the 77th minute. Lindsay Elston got to the net, but Brunner punched the ball away, and the Huskies were unable to convert on the following corner kick.
The Buffs continued to dominate in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Bianca Jones sent a deep ball to the net, where several Buffs got touches, even forcing Kufeld out of the net for a moment, but couldn’t find a shot. Following a corner kick, Krauser took the ball behind the box, forcing a shot that got blocked. She found the rebound and hit the ball just high.
Though the Huskies would get another chance, forcing Brunner to grab another save, it was the Buffs who continued to shine offensively in the closing minutes, with Stuller and Jerman each taking two shots in the final five minutes of regulation.
CU didn’t slow down in just their second overtime match of the season, quickly taking over on the offense. In the first minute, Krauser got an open look, but her shot went just over the crossbar. The Huskies were able to respond with a shot of their own in the 95th minute, but their attack wouldn’t last long.
A Washington foul just outside the box helped set up the Buffs’ game-winner. From 22 yards out, Stuller booted a free kick to the near post to give the Buffs the 1-0 victory.
“She was from a bit of a wide angle, and she just had a great strike,” Sanchez said. “… We were starting to pressure and get the ball into deeper spots. I think the game-winning goal was a by-product of that.”
With eight goals this season, Stuller matches her total from last season, which ranks in the top eight for a single season at CU. Her 22 total points this season ties for the most by a CU senior.
The Buffs conclude their three game road trip in Berkeley, Calif. (the site of their first ever Pac-12 Conference win). CU takes on No. 8 California at 1:30 p.m. MT on Friday, Oct. 18 before returning to Prentup Field for their final two home games of the season.
“I told the team after the match, this is the Pac-12, and after the game on Friday, we had to bounce back,” Sanchez said. “Nobody’s feeling sorry for anybody and the games are going to be like this. We have to continue the momentum and play with confidence. They’re a top 10, top 15 team with one loss … We know the challenge of being on the road. Hopefully we’re a little more comfortable with it and we’ll come out and play.”
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Marlee Horn
Graduate Assistant SID
University of Colorado
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Jerman dominates Rebels in Omni Hotels championship
Sep 24th
BOULDER – Behind two goals by junior Darcy Jerman, the University of Colorado soccer team defeated UNLV 3-1 in the final game of the Omni Hotels Colorado Women’s Soccer Classic.
In front of 1,211 fans, the Buffaloes shined for a full 90 minutes in another record-breaker. Colorado concludes non-conference play with a stellar 8-1 record, with their only loss coming to then-ranked No. 16 Denver.
Darcy Jarmen
After starting the season a program-best perfect 6-0, the Buffs continue one of their best starts. Colorado won a record eight conference games this season, topping the previous bests of seven in 1998, 2003, ’04 and ’08. This is also only the third time in program history the Buffs have won at least eight of their first nine games.
“It’s awesome just because we’re starting Pac-12 next weekend, and I feel like we really hit a lot of momentum,” Jerman said. “We’re making good strides and we’re really working hard this season, so it’s good to win this last one and be 8-1 going into the Pac-12.”
A tie on Friday and a loss to the Buffs moves UNLV to a 5-3-2 record.
Colorado held UNLV to just six shots, all coming in the second half. For the fifth time this season, the Buffs took at least 20 shots, this time striking the ball 23 times, ranking in the top 20 at CU for most shots in a single game. The win is the Buffs’ sixth multiple goal game of the season.
Once again, the Buffs scored early and in the closing minutes. Darcy Jerman put the Buffs up 1-0 in just the third minute of the game, scoring off an assist from Brie Hooks. Defender Heather Ward helped give the Buffs some insurance before the break, heading one in off an Anne Stuller corner kick. UNLV’s Brittney Gideon, who led the Rebels with three shots, got her team on the board in the 77th minute to remain in contention. Colorado put the game away in the 82nd minute when Tori Cooper got fouled in the box. Darcy Jerman booted the ball in from a penalty kick to give the Buffs the 3-1 victory.
“Well, the first goal was a great run from Brie,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “She got to the end line and we’ve been talking a lot about when you get into dangerous spots, picking people out and she was able to pick out Darcy and it was good for Darcy to get that first goal. The second goal, and we had quite a few corner kicks in a row, we had some good service … So it was a very good finish on the corner. And the third goal was really just Tori Cooper’s work to get in the box and get pulled down and Darcy debarred the penalty kick. So, pretty good goals, maybe could have had a couple more. But at the end of the day three goals is a good performance.”
The Buffs were on an early attack all weekend. At 2:40, the Buffs not only took the first shot of the game, but netted the first goal. Hooks at the right found Jerman at the center of the net. From 18 yards out, Jerman had on open look and booted it in.
The goal was 12th fastest in program history. After scoring at the 2:15 mark against Stony Brook on Friday, the Buffs have now scored two goals in the first three minutes of the game twice this season. The only other times the Buffs have accomplished that feat was in 2007 and 2009. (Nikki Marshall scored at the 23 second and 2:36 marks against St. Mary’s College in the Buffs’ 8-1 blowout in ’09.)
“It felt really good just because I’ve been having chances earlier this season, it just hasn’t come together,” Jerman said. “Brie had a beautiful cross in there and I was just there and shot and it was awesome. It feels good to get one under my belt, well two now.”
The Buffs kept dominating the offense, taking four more consecutive shots in four minutes. Stuller was blocked in 11th minute, and Olivia Pappalardo got her head on the ball following a corner, but Kylie Wassell grabbed the save. Wassell had to work again just one minute later, when Madison Krauser had a great look in front of the net.
In the 25th minute, the Buffs had another chance, with Krauser closing in on the net and finding her ball saved at the left corner. Stuller was ready for the quick rebound, but Colorado was called offsides.
With less than 14 minutes left in the first half, Hayley Hughes rushed from deep to close to the net, up against two defenders, she shot the ball wide left. The Buffs kept the pressure, but the Rebels grabbed three consecutive saves.
Despite the defensive pressure, the Buffs kept the pace, with back-to-back corners. On the second, Stuller set up a great ball to Ward at the far post. Ward headed the ball in low to give the Buffs the 2-0 lead with six minutes remaining before halftime. Ward, who has shine as one of the starting four in the backline, has taken just four shots in two seasons with the Buffs, with three on goal.
“It was a great ball from Anne,” Ward said. “It was kind of outside the box and she just chipped it in to the back post and I was able to get up and get my head on it.”
The Rebels looked to even the score early in the second half. In the 48th minute, A UNLV corner kept the ball on the left side of the net. After some solid pressure by the Buffs, Susie Bernal took the Rebel’s first shot of the game from close range. Annie Brunner hopped on the ball for the save. Though the ball got loose, Hooks swooped by the left side of the net to clear the ball and keep the Buffs out of danger.
UNLV had another great opportunity in the in the 54th, but Brittney Gideon just missed the net with a hard shot at the crossbar. The Buffs quickly responded, with Tori Cooper taking her second straight shot. She got the ball from Krauser at the left, and with few defenders took a close range shot, but sent the ball high. Colorado was at it again in the 62nd. Stuller approached from the left, and edged the net at the right post. With the keeper out of the net, Stuller had an open look but knocked the crossbar.
Both teams kept up pressure, with the Rebels forcing Brunner to work for a save in the 65th minute. The Buffs then went on a 5-0 shooting run in a seven minute span, but couldn’t reach the back of the net. A Rebel line change helped give the squad some momentum. Less than a minute after the substitutions, UNLV got on the board. The Rebels created some space, and Gideon was able to get a look from 18 yards to score in the 77th minute. Gaby Vasquez and Jenn Wolfe were credited with the assists.
“We were winning 2-0, and that’s a dangerous lead in soccer,” Jerman said. “We might have relaxed for a minute and I think that their goal sparked us back up again, and we came back strong.”
Gideon went for it again at 80:39, but shot the ball just high. The Buffs got back on the attack, and with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation, Cooper drew a foul in the box to set up a penalty kick. Jerman took the shot in the 82nd minute, hitting the ball to the left corner and just past the keeper.
Jerman scored her first goals of the season and had her first multiple goal game of her career in the victory. She is the third player this season to have a multi-goal performance, joining Hooks and Stuller. This is just the fifth time in program history that at least three players have had a multi-goal game in a single season.
The Buffs are pleased with the win and hope to keep their momentum going, but know that a big challenge awaits them next weekend as Pac-12 Conference play begins against No. 2 Stanford.
“I feel like we’re ready,” Jerman said. “We’re at a way better spot than we were last year, and I’m just ready to prove a point in the Pac-12 because we have everything to prove and nothing to lose.”
Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with your CU soccer team as they play 2012 NCAA runner-up Stanford in the first Pac-12 match of the season! The first 500 fans to the match will receive a FREE pair of CU sunglasses. Make sure to sit in the Buff Brigade cheering section and help give CU soccer a real home field advantage!
UNC (4-3-2) took down Stony Brook (5-3-1) in Sunday’s opener. The 1-0 victory helped the Bears to a runner-up performance at the Classic.
