BOULDER – The University of Colorado soccer team recorded back-to-back shutouts in its opening weekend, taking down Colorado College 1-0 in the final game of Colorado Cup.
Through six games in the three years of the Cup, CU has remained undefeated. For the third year running, CU defeated Northern Colorado 3-0, and this season marked the Buffaloes’ third straight shutout of the CC Tigers in as many Cups. The Buffs have not lost to the Tigers since 1997.

In the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader at Prentup Field, Denver defeated UNC 3-0. Denver beat CC 2-1 on Friday, making the Pioneers and Buffs tied in the weekend win column. Since both teams won two games, and had an equal goal differential (five goals forced and one allowed for Denver, four goals scored and zero allowed for Colorado), goals scored worked as the tiebreaker, giving the Pioneers their first Cup trophy.

“We’ll take the win any day of the week,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “I’m really pleased with how the players battled today. They got the result at the end of the day, so it was a good win for us for sure.”

Freshman sensation Brie Hooks scored the game winning goal

Freshman sensation Brie Hooks scored the game winning goal

Freshman Brie Hooks continued her stellar debut weekend, scoring off an Anne Stuller assist in the 53rd minute to lead the Buffs to victory. In the Buffs’ first two games of the season, Hooks has already scored three goals.

“It’s exciting,” Hooks said. “It’s not really something I expected, I guess, but to go out there and get three goals in the first two games is a good way to show that I can do what I can out there on the field. It was a good feeling.”

The Buffs dominated the offense from the opening minutes, outshooting the Tigers 21-5, though only sending five more on goal (8-3).

Colorado got a shot off early, with Darcy Jerman getting blocked in the fifth minute. Less than four minutes later, Anne Stuller, who led the Buffs with six shots, sent one wide. It took until the 10th minute for CC to take their first shot, sending one right at Annie Brunner.

The Buffs looked set to score in the 12th minute when Brooke Rice got the ball to Hayley Hughes who found Olivia Pappalardo at the net to drive one in, but the goal was called off due to an offsides ruling.

In just over a minute span, Stuller took two more shots, first forcing CC keeper Kate Scheele to come up with her first of seven saves, and then being stopped short by a block. Hayley Hughes kept the momentum going, sending one high in the 18th minute. Five minutes later, she came up big defensively, forcing a turnover, then taking it to the other side where she slammed one towards the net before being blocked.

From the 24th minute to the 34th, CU took five more shots, coming from Madison Krauser, Brie Hooks, Jerman and Bianca Jones. The Buffs were strong on the attack, but CC remained strong on defense, keeping the game scoreless at the half.

It took just two minutes into the second half for the Tigers to shoot, but the ball went high. Colorado responded by quickly taking over on an offensive drive. At the 52:50 mark, Hooks was hungry for more, sending one to the back of the net off a Stuller assist.

“Well we were going out, and the ball got wide, and honestly I wasn’t trying to shoot at all,” Hooks said. “I was trying to keep it in. I got my hips around it and it happened to go in. It worked out in my favor I guess … Everyone has the goals that they’re not trying to score, but in tight games like that it’s good to get an early one. It felt good.”

The Buffs continued to make Scheele work at the net. In the 58th minute, Emily Paxton sent one towards the goal. CU didn’t get its first corner kick until the 62nd minute, with Carly Bolyard shooting it towards the net. After several touches by the Buffs, Pappalardo made Scheele dive for the save. Less than a minute later, Paxton was at it again, making Scheele grab her third save in just five minutes.

Sarah Scheweiss was a force for the Tigers, leading the squad with three shots. In the 69th minute, she went on the run from the midfield, and approached the net with only a few defenders in her way, but Brunner was ready to claim the save.

In the final twenty minutes, Colorado remained strong at both ends of the ball. Krauser took two more of her three total shots, sending one wide, then high. Stuller kept the pressure, sending one at the keeper with under 10 remaining.

Colorado had a close call with just over six minutes remaining, with CC taking a free kick that got the ball to the net. After a few quick touches, Jessie Ayers got the ball, but fumbled and couldn’t get the shot. The Buffs reclaimed possession, playing tough until the closing seconds, with Stuller leading a drive in the 88th minute.

After 90 minutes, Hooks’ “dangerous,” but “fortunate” ball and the Buffs’ experienced backline were the determining factors in the win.

“Our defense – led by Lizzy (Herzl) and Heather (Ward) and Bianca (Jones), and Hayley (Hughes) also – all four of them were rock solid all day,” Sanchez said. “I’m pleased with that. We need to be better on the attack; we talked about that on Friday as well, but at the end of it, a good result for us.”

The Buffs continue their home-stand with more in-state competition, hosting Air Force on Friday.

“Air Force went out to a tournament this weekend and had a draw and then lost to a Big 12 team 2-1, so they’re much improved,” Sanchez said. “We know that when teams come to Prentup, they’re going to bring their ‘A’ game. Last year we won 2-0, but it didn’t feel like a 2-0 game. It was a bit scrappy. We need better quality. And obviously, St. Mary’s out of the West Coast Conference is a very good team. It’s a big weekend for us, but we’re glad to be home.”

Make a healthy and environmentally friendly trip to Prentup Field on Friday, Aug. 30 to watch CU soccer take on Air Force at 5 p.m. The first 200 fans who bike to Prentup will receive a free CU T-shirt. Admission is free, though fans can make a $5 donation to the Buff Club to show their support for the team, so grab your family and friends for a bike ride to Prentup Field.

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Marlee Horn
Graduate Assistant SID
University of Colorado

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