Colorado University Athletics
Top 20 Soccer Moments: No. 4
October 19, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER – After three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Buffs earned the right to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in 2006. Taking advantage of playing at Prentup Field, CU won both matches in front of record crowds to advance to their first-ever Sweet 16.
The Buffs took a 14-6-4 (5-4-1 Big 12) record into the tournament ready to defend their home pitch. Throughout the season CU had played well at home finishing the season with a 9-2 record on Prentup Field. And they had been unbeaten at home since losing to Texas on Oct. 8. So the Buffs felt confident playing at home, and they were ready to take on their first round opponents.
In that first round CU drew Colorado College, an in-state opponent that they hadn't played since 2000. When the game started there was a record crowd of 1,871 fans packed into the stands ready to watch the Buffs dominate from the first whistle. But it was Colorado College that struck first, scoring on a corner kick in the 27th minute.
When halftime came around, the Buffs didn't feel any less confident than they had entering the match. Even though the score wasn't in their favor, they entered the locker room with a 11-1 advantage on shots including putting four on goal. And besides the one corner kick they conceded, that lead to the goal, CU had controlled the play and possession, something they could build on in the second half.
CU's control of the match continued into the second half, and in the 60th minute, the score line began to show that dominance as well. Senior Katie Griffin, who when she graduated was the all-time leader at CU for goals scored with 32, took a pass from junior Allison Kidd 15 yards out in front of the net. Griffin slotted the ball in the left-bottom corner to tie the game at one all. It wouldn't be much longer after that that CU took the lead.
Less than two minutes later, in the 62nd minute, Griffin again was fed by Kidd. This time from 25 yards out. Griffin's shot kissed the cross bar then tickled the back of the net to give CU the quick turnaround and the 2-1 lead. For the remainder of the match, CU rode the momentum they had gained by scoring what is still the seventh fastest two consecutive goals in CU history.
They were able to lock down Colorado College, and maintain not only the lead, but the possession as well. As time expired the 1,871 fans at Prentup Field left satisfied and ready to return the next day for round two and a matchup against Denver.
The next day CU was riding high, and ready to successfully defend its home pitch one last time. Denver was the second round opponent for the Buffs, and CU looked to come out fast and to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16.
Unlike their first round matchup with Colorado College, CU didn't waste any time getting on the board and starting the match off quickly. In the 32nd minute, Griffin yet again got involved, taking a pass in front of the net before being taken down by the Denver defender to earn a penalty kick. Griffin stepped to the spot, and without blinking stared down the goalie and rocketed the ball past DU's keeper to give the Buffs a 1-0 lead they took into the half.
As the second half started the weather took a turn. It had been raining during the first half of the match, but the temperature dropped below freezing during the break, and when the second half kicked off, it had turned to snow and the field was beginning to turn white.
Denver looked to play the ball and take advantage, and their aggressiveness paid off as they were awarded a free kick in the 77th minute. The set piece for the Pioneers produced a goal as the ball skipped past the Buff defense for a goal to even up the score at one all.
But CU didn't waste time taking the lead back from the Pioneers. Less than four minutes later freshman Nikki Marshall was able to get a shot off past an attempt by the Denver defender to clear the ball. Marshall's shot glanced off the post and in to give CU the 2-1 that they wouldn't give back.
As the time expired the Buffs had the lead and they had successfully defended their home pitch like they had all season long. They had punched their ticket to their first ever Sweet 16 in dramatic fashion and gave the fans in Boulder something to remember for years to come.
The Top 20 Moments of Colorado soccer will be revealed throughout the season as 2016 marks the 20th Anniversary of the first year of the program. Two will be announced per week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Top 20 Moments
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. CU's First Sweet Sixteen Appearance In 2006
5. Reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2013 with wins over Denver and BYU
6. Big 12 Tournament finalists in 2005, 2006 and 2008
7. Snow Clasico 2 - CU beats BYU in the NCAA Tournament in a snowstorm
8. CU breaks attendance record against defending national champion North Carolina in 1998
9. Nikki Marshall's legacy beyond CU
10. Fran Munnelly earns Big 12 Player of the Year
11. Sloane Cox breaks Big 12 saves record
12. Shawn Kenyon scores first goal in school history
13. First Pac-12 win
14. First win over a ranked Pac-12 opponent
15. Buffs knock off No. 5 Texas A&M for win over highest-ranked opponent
16. CU moves into Prentup Field, a home for Buffs soccer
17. Nikki Marshall's success with the USWNT
18. CU's first Big 12 Tournament win in 2002
19. First NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003
20. Colorado announces the addition of women's soccer as a varsity sport on Aug. 14, 1993
The Buffs took a 14-6-4 (5-4-1 Big 12) record into the tournament ready to defend their home pitch. Throughout the season CU had played well at home finishing the season with a 9-2 record on Prentup Field. And they had been unbeaten at home since losing to Texas on Oct. 8. So the Buffs felt confident playing at home, and they were ready to take on their first round opponents.
In that first round CU drew Colorado College, an in-state opponent that they hadn't played since 2000. When the game started there was a record crowd of 1,871 fans packed into the stands ready to watch the Buffs dominate from the first whistle. But it was Colorado College that struck first, scoring on a corner kick in the 27th minute.
When halftime came around, the Buffs didn't feel any less confident than they had entering the match. Even though the score wasn't in their favor, they entered the locker room with a 11-1 advantage on shots including putting four on goal. And besides the one corner kick they conceded, that lead to the goal, CU had controlled the play and possession, something they could build on in the second half.
CU's control of the match continued into the second half, and in the 60th minute, the score line began to show that dominance as well. Senior Katie Griffin, who when she graduated was the all-time leader at CU for goals scored with 32, took a pass from junior Allison Kidd 15 yards out in front of the net. Griffin slotted the ball in the left-bottom corner to tie the game at one all. It wouldn't be much longer after that that CU took the lead.
Less than two minutes later, in the 62nd minute, Griffin again was fed by Kidd. This time from 25 yards out. Griffin's shot kissed the cross bar then tickled the back of the net to give CU the quick turnaround and the 2-1 lead. For the remainder of the match, CU rode the momentum they had gained by scoring what is still the seventh fastest two consecutive goals in CU history.
They were able to lock down Colorado College, and maintain not only the lead, but the possession as well. As time expired the 1,871 fans at Prentup Field left satisfied and ready to return the next day for round two and a matchup against Denver.
The next day CU was riding high, and ready to successfully defend its home pitch one last time. Denver was the second round opponent for the Buffs, and CU looked to come out fast and to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16.
Unlike their first round matchup with Colorado College, CU didn't waste any time getting on the board and starting the match off quickly. In the 32nd minute, Griffin yet again got involved, taking a pass in front of the net before being taken down by the Denver defender to earn a penalty kick. Griffin stepped to the spot, and without blinking stared down the goalie and rocketed the ball past DU's keeper to give the Buffs a 1-0 lead they took into the half.
As the second half started the weather took a turn. It had been raining during the first half of the match, but the temperature dropped below freezing during the break, and when the second half kicked off, it had turned to snow and the field was beginning to turn white.
Denver looked to play the ball and take advantage, and their aggressiveness paid off as they were awarded a free kick in the 77th minute. The set piece for the Pioneers produced a goal as the ball skipped past the Buff defense for a goal to even up the score at one all.
But CU didn't waste time taking the lead back from the Pioneers. Less than four minutes later freshman Nikki Marshall was able to get a shot off past an attempt by the Denver defender to clear the ball. Marshall's shot glanced off the post and in to give CU the 2-1 that they wouldn't give back.
As the time expired the Buffs had the lead and they had successfully defended their home pitch like they had all season long. They had punched their ticket to their first ever Sweet 16 in dramatic fashion and gave the fans in Boulder something to remember for years to come.
The Top 20 Moments of Colorado soccer will be revealed throughout the season as 2016 marks the 20th Anniversary of the first year of the program. Two will be announced per week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Top 20 Moments
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. CU's First Sweet Sixteen Appearance In 2006
5. Reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2013 with wins over Denver and BYU
6. Big 12 Tournament finalists in 2005, 2006 and 2008
7. Snow Clasico 2 - CU beats BYU in the NCAA Tournament in a snowstorm
8. CU breaks attendance record against defending national champion North Carolina in 1998
9. Nikki Marshall's legacy beyond CU
10. Fran Munnelly earns Big 12 Player of the Year
11. Sloane Cox breaks Big 12 saves record
12. Shawn Kenyon scores first goal in school history
13. First Pac-12 win
14. First win over a ranked Pac-12 opponent
15. Buffs knock off No. 5 Texas A&M for win over highest-ranked opponent
16. CU moves into Prentup Field, a home for Buffs soccer
17. Nikki Marshall's success with the USWNT
18. CU's first Big 12 Tournament win in 2002
19. First NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003
20. Colorado announces the addition of women's soccer as a varsity sport on Aug. 14, 1993
Monday, April 06
Tuesday, November 25
Thursday, November 20
Thursday, November 20