Tucson, Ariz. - The University of Colorado soccer team tied a season high
three goals in its 3-0 win over the University of Arizona on Friday afternoon.
The Buffs defense came up big once again, with two backs scoring in CU's eighth
shutout of the season.
Plenty of Buffs saw time on the pitch as a somewhat unlikely trio helped
the Buffs' claim their second conference win of the season. This is the first
time ever the Buffs have won back-to-back Pac-12 match-ups, and the first time
they've won back-to-back road pairings since the Colorado Cup at the beginning
of the season.
Lizzy Herzl scored the third goal of her career (and her first since her
freshman season) in the 19th minute off a Shaye Marshall corner kick to take
the early lead. The assist was Marshall's third of the season and fourth of her
career.
Storie Ledger added insurance 16 seconds before the break. Her first career
goal helped the Buffs' take a 2-0 lead into halftime. Colorado is 3-1 when
taking a two goal lead into the second half, including CU's other 3-0 win, at
Northern Colorado.
In the 79th minute, Bianca Jones scored off an assist from Nikola
Machalek for her second career goal in three games during this road trip, to
give Colorado a 3-0 win.
The Buffs improve to 8-7-3 overall, 2-6-1 Pac-12, while Arizona slips to
5-10-3, 1-6-2.
Arizona outshot Colorado eight to seven in the first half, but Colorado sent
five on goal and took twice as many corner kicks (four to two) to take a 2-0
lead going into the break.
The Wildcats took an early hold of the ball, sending it at Brunner in the
first 35 seconds. Shortly after, the Buffs stole the ball, but after great
teamwork near the net, couldn't get a shot at the goal. Arizona's Jazmin Ponce
took possession after a CU foul, and shot one again, this time just right of
the post.
In the 8th minute, Madison Krauser hit one at the net, but was blocked.
The teams battled to gain possession and cause a stir. The Wildcats got the
ball again in the 10th minute, but Annie Brunner grabbed one of her three saves
in the night.
Anne Stuller helped the Buffs gain momentum in the 12th minute when she
struck the ball right of the net. Six minutes later, the Buffs were at it
again. Shaye Marshall took a pair of corner kicks, with the second one connecting
for a goal. The kick went high in front of the net, where Lizzy Herzl headed it
in to take a 1-0 lead.
Darcy Jerman and Krauser both took shots in the following two minutes
before Arizona took control on the offense.
In a 17 minute span, the Wildcats took five shots and limited CU to just
one. During that time, the Buffs blocked two shots and Brunner snagged a save.
In the 35th minute, Candace Edwards seemed to be alone at the net for the
Wildcats, but Hayley Hughes swooped in for a big steal.
The Buffs gained control in the final three minutes after Julia Glanz
received a yellow card. Quinn Krier took a pair of corners to spur CU's
offense. Near the net, Hughes crossed the ball back to Storie Ledger who hit it
into the left side of the net. The Buffs headed into the break up 2-0.
In the second half, both teams took six shots, but Colorado put the game
away in the 79th minute. Just 30 seconds in, Hughes laser beamed one at the
crossbar, just missing the net.
The Buffs continued to limit Arizona's looks on goal, and blocked another
in the 53rd minute, after the Wildcats ran up the right sideline. From that
point on, CU picked up the pace. Krauser sent one at the keeper while Stuller
and Marshall both hit balls wide.
While Heather Ward on the CU defense was down, the Wildcats had perhaps
their best scoring opportunity of the game. Susana Melendez sent one just wide
in the 69th minute, but Arizona kept possession. Two minutes later, Jessica
Culver sent one at the net, but Brunner got the save.
CU continued to press UA at the net, and was successful once more in the
79th minute. Bianca Jones and Nikola
Machalek worked together to claim the 3-0 win. As the Buffs edged closer and
closer to the net, Jones crossed to Machalek on the left side, avoiding
defenders and sending the ball back to Jones who netted her second career goal.
The Buffs would limit the Wildcats to just one more shot in the final 10
minutes, but reserve keeper Kayla Millar got the save to keep Arizona
scoreless.
The Buffs end their road trip at Arizona State. Colorado takes on ASU on
Sunday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. in its penultimate regular season game.
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