Posts tagged CU
Simpson Shines In CU V-Ball Debut Despite Loss To St. Mary’s
Aug 31st
BOULDER—Junior Taylor Simpson and sophomore Alexis Austin each recorded 11 kills for the University of Colorado volleyball team, but unfortunately it was not enough as the St. Mary’s College Gaels won the first match of the Omni Hotels Colorado Volleyball Classic on Friday night 25-17, 25-16, 22-25, 25-19.
Simpson made her CU debut in the match and took 36 swings to lead the team. She also added six digs and a pair of block assists. Austin added two digs and three block assists in the effort.
“I think that Taylor carried a big load for us tonight,” coach Liz Kritza said. “I think that what she is going to learn as we continue through the season is that the more points you’re getting on the offensive side, the more serve-reception balls you’ll have to handle. That’s because other teams are constantly going to try to load our front-row outsides. I’m pleased, because she is a nice addition to the program, and I only look for her to continue improving.”
Returning to CU’s line-up on Friday night was redshirt senior Kerra Schroeder who led the team defensively with 10 digs. She added a pair of kills and one block assist in her return.
“Kerra played in multiple positions tonight,” Kritza said. “She’s okay with that, because this isn’t about any individual player’s performance—it’s about the overall win-loss. I like being able to talk about that openly with players, because they know that we all want the same thing.”
Senior Nikki Lindow had nine kills and hit .312 for the Buffs. She also led the team with five block assists. Junior Kelsey English added seven kills and three block assists on the night. Freshman Joslyn Hayes had a nice debut for the Buffs as she hit .333 with five kills in her first career start.
“Hayes, as a freshman, was pretty productive,” Kritza said. “The thing with her is that I have to remember that she is still a freshman. There are some limitations right now until she gets more repetition. She contributed at a high pace.”
In total, the Buffs recorded 48 kills, 44 digs and 9.0 team blocks, while hitting .246. The Gaels put together 53 kills, 53 digs, 11.0 team blocks and hit .246.
SMC was led by Jordan Shaw who hammered 14 kills and hit .370. Kristina Graven added 12 kills and 11 digs for SMC. The Gaels, a 2012 NCAA Tournament Team, received votes in the AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll after finishing the 2012 season with an 18-11 overall record.
“They [St. Mary’s] were a lot more stable on their first contacts; that’s the story of the match,” Kritza explained. “We knew going in that the team who could win the serve-pass game would win, especially early in the season. This is a good team; they are organized, and they don’t make a ton of errors, as evidenced by being able to withstand some of our runs tonight. For us, there are a lot of really good things, lots of positives. Clearly, we’re disappointed, because we wanted to be able to have a more consistent group of our plays. For us, this is the beginning of a very long season that we know is going to be very productive.”
The Buffs got off to a great start in the first set, taking a 5-1 lead. The Gaels rallied back to tie the set up at 7-7. The set was close until CU was up 12-11; and at that point SMC put together a 10-0 run to take a 21-12 advantage. The Buffs kept attacking, but weren’t able to close the gap as the Gaels won 25-17.
The second set also started out well for CU and the Buffs had a 5-4 lead before SMC took three straight points to take a 7-5 lead. CU came back and tied the game at 8-8, but at that point the Gaels recorded six of seven points to go up 14-9. The Buffs didn’t let up, but unfortunately couldn’t get back in the set and fell 25-16.
The third set was another close one with 10 ties. Neither team had more than a three-point lead at any point during the game. The Buffs used a 5-0 run to take a 22-20 lead over the Gaels, forcing SMC to use a timeout. CU took the first point out of the time out to take a three-point lead at 23-20. The Buffs had set point at 24-21 thanks to a kill from Austin, but SMC fought off the first set point (24-22). The Buffs finished the set with a kill from Simpson on the following point (25-22).
The Buffs and Gaels played a tight fourth game until SMC took a five-point lead at 14-9. The Gaels extended their lead to eight points at 20-12, forcing the Buffs to use a timeout. The Buffs took the following three points out of the break, but it wasn’t enough as they dropped the fourth set 25-19.
Colorado and St. Mary’s will square off again on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the final match of the Omni Hotels Colorado Volleyball Classic. Early arriving fans will receive mini-volleyballs, courtesy of the Omni Hotels.
“The beauty of this type of double-header is that you can measure yourself; it’s virtually the same team,” Kritza said. “You can actually learn how to scout opponents; you can learn to come back. I think it’s very important for us, especially in nonconference play, to have a test like this at the very beginning.”
COLORADO BUFFALOES
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CU Soccer Matches Record-Setting Start
Aug 31st
BOULDER – The University of Colorado is in familiar territory. Three games into the 2013 season, the Buffaloes have tied last year’s program record of three straight shutouts to begin the season, and Annie Stuller has notched the fifth multiple goal game of her career.
The Buffs took down the Air Force Falcons 2-0 for the second straight year. Colorado has matched its record-setting start to the season to earn a 3-0 record. The Falcons fall to 0-2-1 after facing Big 12 and Pac-12 Conference opponents in back-to-back games.
Defense was the name of the game for 72 minutes, until the Buffs went on an offensive frenzy. At the 72:47 mark, Olivia Pappalardo edged the net, slamming the left post. Just seconds later, Anne Stuller was ready on the attack for her first goal of the season. Less than five minutes later, Stuller was at it again, scoring off an assist from Alex Huynh.
“I think the first half she was pressing a little bit, trying a little bit too much,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “The first goal is the kind of goal we want her scoring. Where she’s inside the box and can shoot from there, instead of having to do stuff from midfield. The second goal was just a great ball from Alex to release her and a quality finish. It’s good for her to open her 2013 account, but obviously we’re just counting on her to score some goals this year … I don’t think it’s any big secret that she’s dangerous. We need to get her on the end of stuff. When she does that, she’s obviously good around the box.”
Stuller is just the fourth Buff to record at least four multiple goal games in her Colorado career. She joins Fran Munnelly (four) and Nikki Marshall and Katie Griffin, who each had seven. In each of the last three seasons, Stuller has had at least one multiple goal game.
“It’s totally a confidence boaster,” Stuller said. “It helps me just feel like, ‘OK, I can play with these girls. I can do this.’ It feels good, but more than anything it feels good to win. I’m just more happy about that than anything else.”
The Buffs shined in the second half, outshooting the Falcons 11-6 during the game, taking nine shots in the second half alone and limiting Air Force to just one second half shot. CU also had three opportunities off corner kicks, while Air Force had none. Both Annie Brunner and Kelly Stambaugh both grabbed three saves in their respective nets.
“I think Air Force has much improved,” Sanchez said of the team the Buffs also defeated 2-0 last season. “You know they’re always going to work hard and be organized. I think they have some quality on the field. I was pleased with how we turned it on at the end, but obviously the first half we didn’t play our best soccer. The second half, especially those last 20 minutes, I felt like we really started connecting and had a little bit more run of the play. A lot of credit to Air Force, they played very well today.”
Colorado’s first shot came in the first 41 seconds off the boot of leading scorer Brie Hooks. The Buffs wouldn’t get another shot off until the 39th minute, when Darcy Jerman got blocked.
Brunner picked up her first save in the seventh minute. Just over two minutes later, Air Force sent off another shot, this time sending the ball wide.
The Buffs got a lot of touches in the first half, but couldn’t seem to keep total control of the ball, with neither team successfully dominating the offense.
With 10 minutes remaining before the half, the Falcons gained momentum, but Ashley Greco’s shot made for an easy save. The Buffs backline held off any more attacks, with Lizzy Heral stopping a ball by the left post to prevent a close call at a shot attempt.
“Hats off to our defense,” Stuller said. “Everyone’s been so solid. Brunner’s controlling the back line so well, Lizzy’s just a great senior leader and she makes it look easy. She’s a good defender. She makes some hard stops that she makes look pretty easy.”
Colorado picked up its intensity on both sides of the ball in the second half, attacking early. Huynh took a long free kick in the 49th minute to set the ball up for several Buffs at the net. Herzl got the first touch, hitting it just wide. Later, Hayley Hughes made contact, but once again the shot was wide.
The Falcons continued to press the Buffs’ net, but the CU defense refused to allow any shots to get past them. Air Force’s only shot of the half came at the 68:08 mark, but Brunner was ready for another save.
With 20 minutes remaining, Stuller was on the offensive, rushing from the backfield to the net, but she couldn’t control the ball. The Buffs quickly reassembled, with Bianca Jones sending one to the keeper from deep right. One minute later, Stuller, at the left corner of the field, found Emily Paxton at the net, who hit the ball high.
The Buffs’ drive couldn’t be stopped, keeping possession to set up their first goal. After an Air Force foul, the Buffs took charge. In the 73rd minute, Pappalardo hit a close one to the left post. Stuller was ready for the rebound, scoring just six seconds later.
“They felt really good to get,” Stuller said of her two goals. “As a forward, you want to score. There were two easy goals thanks to my teammates. Brie took the ball down on the first one, beat a girl, it was a good beat, and drove it across. It was a jumbled mess in there and I think Olivia got on it and got a touch and it came right to me. I just had to hit it far post, pretty easy goal because of my teammates.”
In the 78th minute, Stuller was ready again, taking an open shot from Huynh behind the right side of the box to give the Buffs a 2-0 lead that would hold for the remainder of the game.
Come cheer on your CU Buffs soccer team as they take on the St. Mary’s Gaels on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. Remember to support the Buffaloes from the Buff Brigade cheering section located on the north end of Prentup Field.
“They’re a very good team, very athletic,” Sanchez said of the Gales. “West Coast Conference is a very good conference. They’re very tough. They play top end teams week in and week out. I expect a very end-to-end game. Their team likes to attack like we do, so I expect a very entertaining game on Sunday.”
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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"]
CU Buffs Women’s Soccer Faces Falcons, Gaels In Second Weekend
Aug 29th
QUICKLY: The University of Colorado soccer team looks to continue its hot start to the season against Air Force and St. Mary’s. The Buffs open the weekend against their third straight in-state opponent, taking on the Falcons at 5 p.m. on Friday. They conclude a three-game home-stand at 1 p.m. on Sunday against the Gaels. In the opening weekend, CU recorded back-to-back shutouts against Northern Colorado and Colorado College in the third annual Colorado Cup.
COLORADO VS. AIR FORCE: The Buffs hold a 4-1 lead over the Falcons. CU’s lone loss was a 1-0 defeat in the Buffs’ first season (1996). After an eight season series hiatus, the in-state opponents resumed play last season, with the Buffs winning 2-0. Three of the Buffs’ four wins over AFA have been shutouts.
SCOUTING THE FALCONS: The Falcons are off to a 1-0-1 start, tying Montana 1-1 and falling 2-1 to TCU at the Montana Kickoff Invitational. Air Force returns six starters from last year’s squad that scored 12 goals and went 5-9-3 (0-7 Mountain West). The Falcons lost Stephanie Patterson, who scored five goals in her final season, but welcome 12 newcomers. AFA’s two goals this season have come off of just three shots by freshman Noelle Heiser and junior Kylie Williamson.
COLORADO VS. ST. MARY’S: The Buffs and Gaels have met just once, in 2009. The 8-1 CU victory was a record breaker. Nikki Marshall scored four goals (tying her own record for most goals scored in a single game) and Kelly Butler scored two. The eight total goals are the most the Buffs have scored in a single game and the 19 total points ranks second. The 28 shots ties for fifth on the single game list. CU also scored off an own goal for only the second time in program history.
SCOUTING THE GAELS: The Gaels enter the weekend with a 1-1 record after defeating Grand Canyon 3-0 and falling to No. 11 San Diego State 1-0. SMC returns eight starters from last year’s squad, including All-West Coast Conference honorable mentions Melinda Madden and Vicki Shimkus (last year’s leading scorer) and Canada Word Cup U-19 member Caroline Beauline. The Gaels posted a 6-12-2 (1-7 WCC) record in 2012.
PEDAL TO PRENTUP: Make a healthy and environmentally friendly trip to Prentup Field on Friday, Aug. 30 to watch CU 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.
FAMILIAR FACES: Santa Clara transfer Brooke Rice will face former West Coast Conference opponent Saint Mary’s on Sunday. Rice played in 26 games in two seasons at Santa Clara.
LAST WEEK: The Buffs opened the 2013 season with the third annual Colorado Cup. In the opening game against Northern Colorado, the Buffs shut out the Bears 3-0 for the third straight year. In seven meetings between the two teams, the Buffs have never lost, much less given up a goal. It took just over 33 minutes into the game for freshman Brie Hooks to score her first goal as a Buff, and then just another 45 to score again, this time off an assist from Darcy Jerman. The Buffs’ other goal came off an own goal, marking just the fifth own goal in program history. On Sunday, Hooks once again led the Buffs to victory, scoring off an Anne Stuller assist, to defeat Colorado College 1-0.
TIEBREAKER: Colorado and Denver both concluded the Colorado Cup with two wins and an equal goal differential. Though Denver allowed one goal and Colorado allowed zero, Denver took home the title by scoring one more goal than the Buffs. Despite losing the trophy, the Buffs have two titles under their belts and have remained undefeated through six games in three Cups.
HOOKS, LINE AND SINKER: In her first two games as a Buff, freshman Brie Hooks has already scored three goals. Against UNC, Hooks became the first player in program history to have a multi-goal performance in her Colorado debut. Other Buffs to reach similar milestones are Katie Griffin, who scored two goals in her second game at CU in 2003 and Nikki Marshall, who netted four in just her third game in 2006. Hooks followed up her fabulous introduction by hitting the lone goal and game-winner against CC. Her impressive opening weekend helped her to CU’s first Athlete of the Week honors of 2013.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: A record crowd showed their support for the Buffs in the home opener on Sunday. 1,364 fans were in attendance for the final games of the Colorado Cup, breaking into the 10th spot on CU’s all-time crowds at Prentup Field. This is the second Colorado Cup game to rank in the top 10. CU’s battle against Northern Colorado on August 21, 2011 in the inaugural Cup drew 1,911 fans, ranking fourth all time at Prentup.
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