Rain of treys couldn’t stop the Buffs
Nov 22nd
Trey defense is the “official deficiency” of the team
BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes’ perimeter defense has them living on the edge. They survived another three-point barrage Thursday night – this one by UC Santa Barbara – and won 76-68 for their fifth consecutive victory at the Coors Events Center.
But, according to coach Tad Boyle, the Buffs’ three-point defense is “officially a deficiency of our team. Maybe I’ve been in denial . . . if it happens six games in a row, then maybe it’s a trend.”
Minus leading scorer (24 ppg) and rebounder (13 rpg) Alan Williams – a 6-7, 240-pound inside force – the Gauchos compensated on the perimeter by making 11 of 28 three-point attempts. Seven of the 11 treys left the torrid right hand of reserve guard Taran Brown, who scored a career-high 23 points. He missed only three of his long attempts.
Teren Brown hit 7-11, 3-point shots for the Gauchos
Guard Askia Booker said the Buffs’ scouting report on the Gauchos identified Brown “as a shooter . . . but we didn’t know he shot like that.”
And that didn’t sit well with Boyle, who said it’s up to his players to trust what they’re told on paper and shown on tape. “That’s not respecting your opponent,” Boyle said. “When you have ‘shooter’ on the report that means he’s a shooter. I don’t care if he’s starting or coming off the bench.”
And don’t offer up to Boyle that his players are still adjusting to this season’s new closer called hand-checking rules for their failure to defend the three: “The new rules can’t be a reason anymore,” he said. “If you’ve got a job to do, start doing it.”
But Boyle also noted that UCSB came prepared to play – even without Williams, who was sidelined with back spasms. “There’s sometimes after games when you tip your hat to your opponent,” Boyle said. “I thought Santa Barbara was great tonight; their kids were ready to play . . . we took a pretty good shot from them tonight (and) I told our team we should be glad their best player didn’t play tonight.”
The Gauchos’ 11 treys were one less than the Buffs surrendered in a 91-65 rout of UT-Martin. That lopsided score might have led to Boyle’s “denial” of his team’s soft three-point defense. But through six games, CU’s perimeter defensive percentage has been no better than 33.3 percent (vs. Wyoming).
“We ain’t guarding the three-point line,” CU guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. “Give credit to them, but most of (their shots) were open.”
Any list of Buffs’ deficiencies didn’t include Dinwiddie, who said he didn’t sense a pregame readiness from his teammates and chose to assert himself more than in the previous games. He did, scoring a game-best 24 points that included 14-of-15 made free throws.
The Buffs hit 12 of 14 free throws in the final 3:56, with Dinwiddie sinking nine of 10 in that span.
Said Boyle: “We don’t win tonight without Spencer Dinwiddie . . . he was dialed in, aggressive.”
The Buffs led 32-30 at halftime and opened a nine-point (45-36) second-half lead before the Gauchos stormed back. Brown’s final three of the game gave UCSB (2-2) a 54-52 lead with 5:48 to play. But CU (5-1) answered with a 12-0 run and never trailed again.
In addition to Dinwiddie’s 24, CU also got 14 points from Booker, his junior backcourt mate. They were the only two Buffs in double figures; leading scorer Josh Scott managed only three points on a conventional three-point play that started the 12-0 run. Boyle said one of his team’s goals was to go inside more, but when it happened the Buffs didn’t finish – and he wasn’t singling out Scott.
The Buffs outrebounded the Gauchos 34-25, made 12 steals – the most this season against UCSB – and forced 17 turnovers – another UCSB high mark. But Boyle kept coming back to the perimeter defense and CU allowing the visitors to shoot 53.3 percent from the field in the second half.
A Friday morning practice originally scheduled to be a shoot-around has been reset as a full-blown run. “I don’t want our players to have a sense of entitlement,” he said. “I don’t want them to show up and play like this and think it’s OK . . . maybe I’m getting too soft as a coach.”
After a two-game absence, CU got sophomore forward Xavier Johnson back in its starting lineup. “XJ” had taken an elbow to the head in a practice prior to the Jackson State game (Nov. 16). “XJ” finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists, three turnovers and three steals.
The Buffs outscored the Gauchos 7-2 to open the second half and took a 39-32 lead, matching their largest advantage of the night to that point, with 15:47 remaining. CU wasn’t satisfied; layups by freshmen Jaron Hopkins and George King helped fashion a nine-point lead (45-36) at the 12:05 mark.
But it had been a while since the Gauchos hit a three-pointer. Paging Taran Brown . . . he ended that dry spell with a trey from the left wing, tying his career high with six threes. When Kyle Boswell followed with a three-pointer on the next possession, UCSB pulled within a point (45-44), then got to 52-51 on another Boswell triple with just under 7 minutes to play.
The Gauchos weren’t going away and they weren’t going to stop shooting the long ball. When Brown hit his seventh of the game at 5:48, UCSB went up 54-52. But urgency also might have overtaken the Buffs; their 12-0 run put them ahead 64-54 with 3:56 remaining.
Unless UCSB could go on another three-point binge, CU seemed headed for its fifth straight win. The Gauchos got one more three-ball by Michael Bryson – their 11th of the night – and closed to 71-67 with 33.9 seconds to play. Dinwiddie’s two free throws 4.5 seconds later and two more by Tre’Shaun Fletcher put the Buffs up 75-67 – and the Gauchos were done.
The Buffs conclude their six-game home stand with a Sunday afternoon game against Harvard (2:30 p.m., ESPNU). “The price of poker is going up and we’d better be ready to ante up,” Boyle said, adding that if Thursday night’s effort and preparation are replayed on Sunday his team faces trouble.
Boyle took this from the Buffs’ rigorous preseason session with the Navy SEALS: “You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall back to your level of preparation.” Friday morning’s practice just might reflect that.
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Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
CU soccer heads to Sweet 16
Nov 21st
TALAHASSEE, Fla. – In a match-up of wits and athleticism, the University of Colorado came out the victor, defeating No. 19 Brighman Young University 2-1 in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship Round of 32 here Thursday. Behind first-half goals by sophomore Emily Paxton and junior Carly Bolyard, the Buffaloes took down the Cougars to advance the Sweet 16. This is CU’s second trip to the third round of NCAAs – the Buffs advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006 to post the program’s best NCAA finish. “I think first and foremost to beat a team of BYU’s quality is a tremendous testament to how we have grown as a program throughout the year,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We have struggled at the end of the season and never lost focus; we have never lost any fight, I’m just real proud on how they just kept working. As far as the game today, we knew that BYU would bring a lot of pressure and Emily got that early goal which gave us a lot of confidence and then Carly got the second. You know what they say a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead, which I disagree because if it was 1-0 and would have been tied, but there is always a tendency to relax a little bit and I think that they caught us and made it 2-1 with about 30 minutes to go, but I feel after that we played very well.” 
Colorado improves to 14-6-2 overall. The Buffs are now 9-0-1 when scoring at least two goals. CU is also 2-3-2 against ranked opponents, picking up back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 2010 when the Buffs beat No. 12 UCLA and No. 6 Texas A&M in back-to-back games. BYU’s eight game unbeaten streak and season both come to an end. The Cougars gave up two goals for just the fourth time this season (only one other time did that result in a loss). BYU ends its season with a 15-5-1 record.
Though the Cougars edged the Buffs in shots (17 to 11) and shots on goal (seven to five), CU netted the shots that mattered most, and keeper Annie Brunner grabbed six saves. Though the Cougars entered the game holding the nation’s 19th best goals-against average and 29th best shutout percentage, the CU attack was too much for West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Erica Owens.
“We defended like warriors; BYU was putting so much pressure on us near the end of the game and we were just smart going forward,” Sanchez said. “We had a couple of chances to make it a 3-1 game, but I’m just real proud of this team because I don’t think these players understand what this means to the University of Colorado, what it means to the alumni and former players. It’s just big for our players now and whether it’s soccer, basketball or football we are just really pleased to represent a great institution at this level.” BYU seemed primed to make some big moves in the beginning of the game, taking the first four shots. In the sixth minute, after a long Alex Huynh free kick found its way to the front of the Cougar net, CU couldn’t retain possession. BYU rushed back, and Paige Hunt sent a ball wide off a corner kick. While the Cougars were dominating the pace, the CU defense remained solid. In the eighth minute, Marissa Nimmer sent the ball toward the net for an easy save by Brunner. Cloee Colohan continued the offensive pressure, first getting stopped by a big-time block by Lizzy Herzl and then, despite creating some space in front of the net, hitting the ball wide right. The Buffs got their moment in the 15 and 16th minutes, when Darcy Jerman and Anne Stuller both hit their shots just high, helping the squad gain momentum. The Cougars once again got back into Buffalo territory, but this time, it was Niki Fernandes who rushed her shot wide. CU responded with a big attack. In the 21st minute, Anne Stuller sent her corner kick to the near post. The ball got to Emily Paxton, who shot to the far post. The ball deflected off a BYU player to fall into the net and put the Buffs up 1-0. “It was a great build up,” Paxton said. “It was also a great through ball from Madi to earn the corner and it was a near post ball. It felt like the longest two seconds that I’ve had before they came after me and luckily it went in.” The Buffs continued to press, taking two more corner kicks in the 25th and 26th minutes. The first was finger-tipped away by Owens at the net, but the second couldn’t stay in the Buffs’ possession. The Cougars looked to even the score, taking three consecutive shots. First, Nimmer sent a field goal of a kick to the net. Jaiden Thornock matched her pace, rushing in in an attempt to beat several CU defenders. Huynh came in for the tackle and Brunner was ready for the ensuing save. Brunner picked up another save in the 30th minute, after Ella Johnson booted the ball her way. BYU’s attack wouldn’t last for long, as CU extended its lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute. From 18 yards out, Carly Bolyard took a beautiful shot that reached Owens, who wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and could only watch as the ball slid into the net.
Madison Krauser provided the assist from the far post. The goal was Bolyard’s first since she netted a goal and contributed an assist in the Buffs’ 5-0 win over Colorado College in the 2011 Colorado Cup. “It feels amazing, that moment in unforgettable and it’s just nice to finally get one,” Bolyard said of her goal. Stuller and Brooke Rice would both take shots for CU in the final 10 minutes of the half as the Cougars were forced to play defense. Though the game became more physical in the final six minutes, CU’s 2-0 lead would hold at the break. The Buffs picked up right where they left off to start the second half. In the 52nd minute, Mikaela Kraus sent a shot wide. Less than a minute later, Paxton forced Owens to grab her first save of the game. However, the momentum would quickly turn in BYU’s favor. In the 58th minute, Fernandes got one-on-one with Hayley Hughes in the right edge of the box. Fernandes found her opportunity and shot the ball high to the far post. The Cougars continued to push the CU defense and got their scoring opportunity in the 59th minute. Brunner got faked out and fell to the far post as Fernandes snuck in a goal from 10 yards out. Rachel Manning was credited with the assist as the Cougars narrowed the Buffs’ lead to 2-1.
Both hungry to keep their season alive, CU and BYU combined for five shots in an eight minute span, with the Cougars grabbing a three to two edge. Fernandes and Hughes were once again head-to-head, with Fernandes getting the advantage and forcing a save. The Buffs and Cougars battled back and forth for possession and offensive dominance, but it was BYU who would find their stride on the attack. With 20 minutes remaining, Fernandes took her fourth consecutive shot, getting blocked to set up a corner, where Manning would head the ball wide.
CU was able to respond, with Paxton continuing her strength in front of the net, taking a shot from the right edge to force another save. In the 77th minute, Jerman took the Buffs’ final shot of the game, hitting the ball wide past the far post. In the closing minutes, BYU sent everyone forward, causing a close call in the 83rd minute. Following a corner kick, a group of Cougars fought to even the score. First, Johnson used her head to force a save. Then, Colohan got the ball, knocking one into the crossbar. Hughes and Fernandes met one final time, with Brunner meeting her blocked shot to close out the game. The Buffs will face the winner of the Mississippi/Florida State matchup. Kick-off of the Sweet 16 game is at 1 p.m. ET (11 a.m. MT) on Saturday, Nov. 23. at Florida State Soccer Stadium. “It’s just awesome, I told (coach) that he can’t get rid of us yet,” Hughes said. “I think as seniors we just want to keep going because we aren’t ready to be done. I think that it’s just awesome and it means a lot to us and there are also a lot of people that are following us. I have teachers and just old teammates that are just so invested in this and it just means a lot to us and this is a great experience and we just want to keep going.”
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Marlee Horn Graduate Assistant SID University of Colorado
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CU soccer moves to Sweet 16, defeating BYU
Nov 21st
TALAHASSEE, Fla. – In a match-up of wits and athleticism, the University of Colorado came out the victor, defeating No. 19 Brighman Young University 2-1 in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship Round of 32 here Thursday.
Behind first-half goals by sophomore Emily Paxton and junior Carly Bolyard, the Buffaloes took down the Cougars to advance the Sweet 16. This is CU’s second trip to the third round of NCAAs – the Buffs advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006 to post the program’s best NCAA finish.
Behind first-half goals by sophomore Emily Paxton and junior Carly Bolyard, the Buffaloes took down the Cougars to advance the Sweet 16. This is CU’s second trip to the third round of NCAAs – the Buffs advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006 to post the program’s best NCAA finish.
“I think first and foremost to beat a team of BYU’s quality is a tremendous testament to how we have grown as a program throughout the year,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We have struggled at the end of the season and never lost focus; we have never lost any fight, I’m just real proud on how they just kept working. As far as the game today, we knew that BYU would bring a lot of pressure and Emily got that early goal which gave us a lot of confidence and then Carly got the second. You know what they say a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead, which I disagree because if it was 1-0 and would have been tied, but there is always a tendency to relax a little bit and I think that they caught us and made it 2-1 with about 30 minutes to go, but I feel after that we played very well.”
Colorado improves to 14-6-2 overall. The Buffs are now 9-0-1 when scoring at least two goals. CU is also 2-3-2 against ranked opponents, picking up back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 2010 when the Buffs beat No. 12 UCLA and No. 6 Texas A&M in back-to-back games.
BYU’s eight game unbeaten streak and season both come to an end. The Cougars gave up two goals for just the fourth time this season (only one other time did that result in a loss). BYU ends its season with a 15-5-1 record.
Though the Cougars edged the Buffs in shots (17 to 11) and shots on goal (seven to five), CU netted the shots that mattered most, and keeper Annie Brunner grabbed six saves. Though the Cougars entered the game holding the nation’s 19th best goals-against average and 29th best shutout percentage, the CU attack was too much for West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Erica Owens.
“We defended like warriors; BYU was putting so much pressure on us near the end of the game and we were just smart going forward,” Sanchez said. “We had a couple of chances to make it a 3-1 game, but I’m just real proud of this team because I don’t think these players understand what this means to the University of Colorado, what it means to the alumni and former players. It’s just big for our players now and whether it’s soccer, basketball or football we are just really pleased to represent a great institution at this level.”
BYU seemed primed to make some big moves in the beginning of the game, taking the first four shots. In the sixth minute, after a long Alex Huynh free kick found its way to the front of the Cougar net, CU couldn’t retain possession. BYU rushed back, and Paige Hunt sent a ball wide off a corner kick.
While the Cougars were dominating the pace, the CU defense remained solid. In the eighth minute, Marissa Nimmer sent the ball toward the net for an easy save by Brunner. Cloee Colohan continued the offensive pressure, first getting stopped by a big-time block by Lizzy Herzl and then, despite creating some space in front of the net, hitting the ball wide right.
The Buffs got their moment in the 15 and 16th minutes, when Darcy Jerman and Anne Stuller both hit their shots just high, helping the squad gain momentum. The Cougars once again got back into Buffalo territory, but this time, it was Niki Fernandes who rushed her shot wide.
CU responded with a big attack. In the 21st minute, Anne Stuller sent her corner kick to the near post. The ball got to Emily Paxton, who shot to the far post. The ball deflected off a BYU player to fall into the net and put the Buffs up 1-0.
“It was a great build up,” Paxton said. “It was also a great through ball from Madi to earn the corner and it was a near post ball. It felt like the longest two seconds that I’ve had before they came after me and luckily it went in.”
The Buffs continued to press, taking two more corner kicks in the 25th and 26th minutes. The first was finger-tipped away by Owens at the net, but the second couldn’t stay in the Buffs’ possession.
The Cougars looked to even the score, taking three consecutive shots. First, Nimmer sent a field goal of a kick to the net. Jaiden Thornock matched her pace, rushing in in an attempt to beat several CU defenders. Huynh came in for the tackle and Brunner was ready for the ensuing save. Brunner picked up another save in the 30th minute, after Ella Johnson booted the ball her way.
BYU’s attack wouldn’t last for long, as CU extended its lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute. From 18 yards out, Carly Bolyard took a beautiful shot that reached Owens, who wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and could only watch as the ball slid into the net. Madison Krauser provided the assist from the far post.
The goal was Bolyard’s first since she netted a goal and contributed an assist in the Buffs’ 5-0 win over Colorado College in the 2011 Colorado Cup. “It feels amazing, that moment in unforgettable and it’s just nice to finally get one,” Bolyard said of her goal.
Stuller and Brooke Rice would both take shots for CU in the final 10 minutes of the half as the Cougars were forced to play defense. Though the game became more physical in the final six minutes, CU’s 2-0 lead would hold at the break.
The Buffs picked up right where they left off to start the second half. In the 52nd minute, Mikaela Kraus sent a shot wide. Less than a minute later, Paxton forced Owens to grab her first save of the game. However, the momentum would quickly turn in BYU’s favor. In the 58th minute, Fernandes got one-on-one with Hayley Hughes in the right edge of the box. Fernandes found her opportunity and shot the ball high to the far post.
The Cougars continued to push the CU defense and got their scoring opportunity in the 59th minute. Brunner got faked out and fell to the far post as Fernandes snuck in a goal from 10 yards out. Rachel Manning was credited with the assist as the Cougars narrowed the Buffs’ lead to 2-1.
Both hungry to keep their season alive, CU and BYU combined for five shots in an eight minute span, with the Cougars grabbing a three to two edge. Fernandes and Hughes were once again head-to-head, with Fernandes getting the advantage and forcing a save. The Buffs and Cougars battled back and forth for possession and offensive dominance, but it was BYU who would find their stride on the attack. With 20 minutes remaining, Fernandes took her fourth consecutive shot, getting blocked to set up a corner, where Manning would head the ball wide.
CU was able to respond, with Paxton continuing her strength in front of the net, taking a shot from the right edge to force another save. In the 77th minute, Jerman took the Buffs’ final shot of the game, hitting the ball wide past the far post.
In the closing minutes, BYU sent everyone forward, causing a close call in the 83rd minute. Following a corner kick, a group of Cougars fought to even the score. First, Johnson used her head to force a save. Then, Colohan got the ball, knocking one into the crossbar. Hughes and Fernandes met one final time, with Brunner meeting her blocked shot to close out the game.
The Buffs will face the winner of the Mississippi/Florida State matchup. Kick-off of the Sweet 16 game is at 1 p.m. ET (11 a.m. MT) on Saturday, Nov. 23. at Florida State Soccer Stadium.
“It’s just awesome, I told (coach) that he can’t get rid of us yet,” Hughes said. “I think as seniors we just want to keep going because we aren’t ready to be done. I think that it’s just awesome and it means a lot to us and there are also a lot of people that are following us. I have teachers and just old teammates that are just so invested in this and it just means a lot to us and this is a great experience and we just want to keep going.”
—
Marlee Horn Graduate Assistant SID University of Colorado
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