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CU men’s golf team is 3rd place at the Falcon Invitational
Sep 9th
After shooting one of the better final rounds scores, the CU men’s golf team was able to tie for third place in the 45th annual Gene Miranda Air Force Falcon Invitational, which was completed here Monday.
Host Air Force opened the meet with the lowest scoring round in the 15-team field and never looked back, cruising to a 15-under 849 team score. Texas-El Paso grabbed runner-up honors as the only other team under par (861, minus-3), with Colorado and Wyoming sharing third with 3-over 867 scores. Nevada rounded out the top five with an 869 total.
The Buffaloes had entered the tournament as its two-time defending champion, including running away with the 2012 event by 12 strokes. Colorado had it at one time 7-under par on Monday, but lost a few strokes over the last six holes and settled for the third-place tie.
“We played good, not great, and many of the teams in the tournament are a lot better than they’ve been,” CU head coach Roy Edwards said. “This might be the best Air Force team I’ve ever seen, and congratulations to them. I thought the course played a little more difficult than it did last year when we won at 12-under, and they bettered that by three shots. Kyle Westmoreland (AFA’s number one) could play for any team in the country.”
Westmoreland led from wire-to-wire in posting three rounds in the 60s en route to a 12-under 204, which was good for a five-stroke victory on the 7,408-yard, par-72 Eisenhower Blue Golf Course.
Freshman Ethan Freeman led all seven Buffaloes who played here, though he competed as an individual meaning his score did not count toward the CU team total (he was not one of the top five qualifiers). However, thanks to a 3-under par 69 in the final round which saw him score seven birdies, the Kent Denver graduate’s 1-under 215 total tied for the third-lowest score by a CU player in his first major tournament in school history. That effort trailed onlyJonathan Kaye, who recorded a 213 (+3) in the 1990 Wyoming Invitational, and Sebastian Heisele’s 2-under 214 in the 2008 Denver-Ron Moore Invitational.
“This was a really good start for Ethan. He’s a very consistent player and we’re happy he had this kind of good start for his career. The other two freshmen also did nice jobs, no real freshman jitters that I saw.”
(That conjured up a story from the 1980s when Charlie Luther’s first career tee shot hit a tree and wound up a few yards behind the tee box. Then-CU head coach, the late Mark Simpson, comforted Charlie by telling him, “That’s okay, Charlie. Even Tony Dorsett lost yardage on his first collegiate carry.”)
Freeman tied for 10th place in the 88-man field, finishing his first collegiate event with 12 birdies (sixth-most in the field) and 31 pars against 11 bogeys on a challenging course that has the capability of eating young golfers up; he also tied for fifth in par-4 scoring, playing those 30 holes at 2-under. The last freshman to lead the Buffaloes in a season opening tournament was Derek Tolan, who tied for eighth in the 2005 New Mexico Tucker Invitational (2-under 214); Tolan was a redshirt frosh: the last true freshman to pace CU was Rick Cramer, who had a 1-over 217 for third place overall finish in the 1979 AFA Falcon invite.
Sophomore Drew Trujillo and freshman Yannik Paul both tied for 16th, as each finished up with 1-under 71s for a 1-over 217. Trujillo had a steady round that included an eagle (on the par-5 No. 9), a birdie and 14 pars, while Paul scored six birdies in his final round, giving him 14 for the tourney, second-most in the field.
Senior Johnny Hayes and freshman Jeremy Paul tied for 25th with 3-over par 219 totals. Hayes also played here as an individual and closed with a 4-over 76; his 38 pars led the Buffs here and tied for the seventh-most in the meet. Paul, one minute older than his twin sibling, finished with a 1-over 73; he had CU’s other eagle in the meet, which came in the first round.
Junior David Oraee got back on track Monday after two over-par rounds, as he fashioned a 2-under 70 to wrap things up with a 221 score (tying him for 37th). He had 11 bogeys the first two rounds but shaved that down to two in the final round, though they did come on his last two holes of the day, otherwise he would have had a round in the 60s.
Sophomore Philip Juel-Berg closed with a 1-over 73, giving him a 223 total which tied him for 45th. Though he tied for 19th in the field with 10 birdies over the three rounds, and his 10-shot improvement from his first to second round (80-70) was the best in the field from one round to the next.
“We’re not overly happy with the result, and despite being just 3-over par as a team, there’s much room for improvement,” Edwards said. “But it’s still a solid start. The positives today were that nobody in the starting five made worse than bogey on a hole, and we did a lot better job of managing our games.”
The Buffaloes will resume play in two weeks in the fourth annual Mark Simpson-CU Invitational, set for September 23-24 at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.
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CU women’s soccer team beat up UT-Martin
Sep 9th
DENVER – Anne Stuller’s hat trick and Olivia Pappalardo’s first collegiate goal gave the Buffs’ a 4-1 victory over the University of Tennessee Martin.
In their two games at the DU Invitational at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium, the Buffaloes took a chart-topping 69 shots, including 38 on goal. The Buffs took 30 shots against the Skyhawks on Sunday afternoon, including an impressive 20 shots in the first half alone. After Friday’s record-breaking performance, Sunday’s game ties for the third most shots taken in a single game. The Skyhawks only got six shots past the solid CU defense, including three on goal.
CU keeper Annie Brunner has allowed just one goal this season, giving her an amazing 0.17 goals-against average through the first six games. She recorded three saves in the win, and is just two wins away from her season records from both 2010 and 2012, which both tie for sixth on the all-time season list. Brunner credits consistency and execution from the backfield and assistant coach Don Trentham’s focus on the details on the team’s defensive success.
“It’s just been nice having a lot of consistency,” Brunner said. “We’ve had Heather (Ward) and Lizzy (Herzl) in there who have just been solid. We haven’t had any injuries, so from the spring to now, having the same back four has been crucial. With Lizzy in there just demanding it and winning all the set balls, making huge clearances, making huge blocked shots. I give it up to those back four.”
Though their five-game shutout streak was put to bed, the Buffs extend their winning streak to a program best 6-0 record. The six game unbeaten streak ties for fifth best in program history. UT Martin falls to 1-4-1 after a tough weekend against Colorado competition.
Just 49 seconds into the game, the Buffs were already on the attack, with Brie Hooks shooting from the right, where Mariah Klenke grabbed the save. The Buffs got two more shots off before the Skyhawks took their first in the eighth minute, but the CU defense was ready for the block. CU would take four more shots over a six minute span, seemingly dominating the offense until UT Martin gained momentum off back-to-back Buffalo fouls.
With Colorado trying to clear the ball away from their net, Hooks fouled the opposition just behind the left corner of the box to set up a free kick. Hannah McGowen shot over the defense, with the ball sliding just right of Brunner to give the Skyhawks the 1-0 lead at the 20:24 mark.
Though the Skyhawks would hit a header high 17 seconds after their first goal, the Buffs wouldn’t allow another shot for the remainder of the first half. CU wasn’t content to play from behind for long, taking under three minutes to even the score and then under two more to take the lead.
“I think we were putting some good pressure on them, so I think the goal was a little against the run of play a bit,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez. “I think we just paid attention and kept doing what we were doing. We knew the chances would come, and fortunately for us, it kind of took the pressure of getting a couple right away. If you leave it too late, you keep yourself under pressure.”
After the UT Martin goal, Hooks took another shot from the right, but was blocked. Stuller got the rebound and was fouled in the box, setting up the Buffs’ first penalty kick of the season. Her PK went just left of center near the keeper. The ball got loose, and Stuller grabbed her own rebound, this time moving a bit right to shoot the ball in.
“I took the PK so I went up and tried to put it in the back of the net, and that’s not what happened, but thankfully it came right back to me and I volleyed it in,” Stuller said.
Just minutes after coming in as a substitution, Pappalardo was ready to make her presence felt. From the midfield, Madison Krauser sent the ball to the left side of the box, where Stuller got a touch before finding Pappalardo near the net to beat the goalie on the inside post. After being down a goal for just three minutes, the Buffs claimed the lead at 25:05.
“Madi passed it to Stu and I was just right on the top of the 18 by myself and I yelled for Stu to kind of leave it,” Pappalardo said. “She took a touch and then passed it right to me and I was wide open. I just one touched it to the goal because I think the goalie was thinking that Stu was going to try to shoot it, so she was in a bad spot. I just hit it in.”
Pappalardo has been a stellar midfielder, having two assists already this season to add to her two from last season, but had yet to score a goal. She said she’s happy to have her first goal in the books after being so close many times this season. She feels she’s finally calmed her nerves and hopes that more will come after this.
The Buffs would take nine more shots in the final 20 minutes of the first half, but would head into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
Both teams were on the attack early in the second half. The Skyhawks would take two early shots, but Stuller and the Buffs were hungry for more goals. In the 65th minute, Krauser passed into the box to Stuller who shot to the far post to help increase the lead to 3-1. Under three minutes later, the duo was at it again, this time with Stuller beating a defender one-on-one to score from 10 yards out, giving the Buffs a 4-1 lead that would hold through regulation.
The multiple goal performance was the sixth of Stuller’s career and her first hat trick. It was just the second hat trick in program history (Jen Thais versus Texas Tech in 2004) and just the fourth time a Buff scored three or more goals in a single game. Stuller is now one multi-goal game away from tying the program record set by both Nikki Marshall and Katie Griffin.
“I’m stoked,” Stuller said. “It’s my first hat trick. There were two great balls from Madi and the PK. It feels good. Brie’s scoring goals; we’re spreading out the offense this year. Madi’s lethal; everybody knows that. Liv got a great goal and she’s always dangerous. And I’m just trying to do my job too … It’s always in your mind when you have two goals because you’re one away and the hat trick is such a coveted thing in soccer. I just wanted to get the win and keep up the pressure.”
Krauser’s three assists were also a record-setter. She is only the second Buff to contribute three assists in a single game, joining Jen Thais (vs. Oklahoma in 2004) at the top of the record books.
The win also marked the 23rd time the Buffs have come back for a win after a 1-0 deficit.
Colorado continues to look impressive through their first six games, but they know they face stiff competition in the coming weeks. The Buffs conclude the non-conference portion of the season next Sunday against in-state rival Denver. The Buffs will take on the nationally ranked team after having competed in two tournaments with the Pioneers this season.
“Denver’s a great team,” Sanchez said. “They’re a top 20 team. They’ve got a great coaching staff and a couple really, really special players. We know it’s going to be a big challenge, but we also know that at the end of the day, it’s a big game, but then next weekend we have two more big games. We want to play well. We want to continue to improve. We’re really excited. We really want to get a big crowd out to Prentup next Sunday at 1 p.m. It’s going to be a great game with a lot of local players and a lot of energy. Both teams only have one game on the weekend, so everyone will be fresh. I think it’s going to be a great game.”
Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with head coach Danny Sanchez and the CU soccer team as they take on the No. 20 ranked Denver Pioneers at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 15. To celebrate this big game, the first 500 fans to the match will receive a FREE CU soccer T-shirt. Be sure to sit in the Buff Brigade cheering section to show your loud and spirited CU pride!
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Marlee Horn Graduate Assistant SID University of Colorado [includeme src="http://c1n.tv/boulder/media/bouldersponsors.html" frameborder="0" width="670" height="300"]
CSU fell to in-state rival CU, 41-27 on Sunday
Sep 2nd
By Katie O’Keefe
CSU Collegian
CSU fell to in-state rival CU, 41-27 on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, giving first-year CU head coach Mike MacIntyre his first win as a Buffalo.
In the opening game of the season, CU equaled their entire number of wins from last year (1-11). The Buffs were able to beat the Rams with explosive plays from receiver Paul Richardson and their ability to capitalize on the Rams’ mistakes.
CU was lead by quarterback Connor Wood in his second start for the Buffaloes. He finished the game with 400 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
“He played like a grown man,” said Richardson. “I couldn’t even tell you how proud I am of him.”
CU quarterback Conner Wood passed for 400+ yards in the game.
Richardson, who was forced to sit out all of last season because of a torn ACL, was a weapon CSU could not contain. He finished the game with ten catches for 208 yards including an 82-yard touchdown run on CU’s first possession of the game to put the Buffs ahead of the Rams, 7-0.
Paul Richardsonscored two touchdowns and rushed for 200+yards in the victory
After a quarterback battle that lasted until game day, CSU quarterback Garrett Grayson was picked to lead the Rams. Grayson finished the game with 201 yards and zero touchdowns.
McElwain said his decision to play Grayson over junior Connor Smith and freshman Nick Stevens was based on Grayson’s preparation for the game.
“I think he was ready,” McElwain said after the game. “I’m not putting this loss on Garrett by any stretch of the imagination.”
The score was 10-0 at the end of the first quarter after the Rams defense held CU to a field goal.
A 49-yard field goal by kicker Jared Roberts put the Rams on the board with 14:17 left in the half.
The Rams receivers struggled to catch the ball throughout the game. The offense finished the game 2-of-14 on third down conversions.
“Offensively we didn’t do a very good job of keeping our defense off the field (by) sustaining drives,” McElwain said.
CU added to their lead after a 17-yard touchdown pass from Wood to receiver D.D. Goodson, making the score 17-3 Buffs with 3:56 left in the first half.
The Rams completed their first third-down conversion on their final drive of the half after previously going 0-for-6. With less than two minutes to go in the half, CSU running back Kapri Bibbs ran the ball for 7 yards and the score to give the Rams their first touchdown of the game and Bibbs’ first touchdown of his career as a Ram.
After a CU field goal, the Buffs were up 20-10 at the half.
Coming out of the half, CSU seemed to have found a second wind. Big plays by the special teams kept CSU in the game during the third quarter.
After going three and out on their first possession to start the second half, CU punted the ball to CSU punt returner Joe Hansley who returned the ball 74 yards for the touchdown.
After CU was forced to settle for a field goal, CSU punt returner Thomas Coffman got in on the action and returned the punt 84 yards . Moments later, Bibbs scored his second touchdown of the game giving CSU its first lead, 24-23. Bibbs was given more carries after running back Donnell Alexander went down in the first half with an upper body injury, said to be a hand injury after the game.
In the fourth quarter, though, Bibbs made a costly mistake when he fumbled the ball which was recovered by CU and returned for the touchdown, giving CU a 31-26 lead and momentum back in favor of the Buffs.
The Rams would not lead again in the game.
A 75-yard pitch and catch from Wood to Richardson gave CU a 41-27 lead over the Rams after the successful extra point and the icing on the cake.
CU will take the Centennial Cup and year-long bragging rights back to Boulder after the Rams earned both in a win over the Buffs a year ago. CSU hasn’t had back-to-back wins over CU since the 1999 and 2000 seasons, a stat that will remain at least until 2015.
Football Beat Reporter Katie O’Keefe can be reached at sports@collegian.com
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