Friday, August 19
USAFA, Colo.
6:05 PM
Colorado
1-0
2
at
0
Air Force
0-1
1
2
F
Colorado
1
1
2
Air Force
0
0
0
The Buffs celebrate Sarah Kinzner's goal late in the first half that propelled the team to a 2-0 win.
Photo by: Andy Schlichting
Buffs Overcome Weather Delay, Open Season With 2-0 Road Win
August 19, 2016 | Soccer
USAFA, Colo. - Colorado's soccer team opened the 2016 season with a 2-0 win at Air Force on Friday night behind goals from Sarah Kinzner and Alex Vidger.
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The match was delayed before the start for one hour and 45 minutes due to lightning. When the lightning finally passed, the storm left a light mist and very strong winds from the north and west behind, creating adverse conditions for both teams.
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"With the delay, I was pleased with how we came out," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "I thought we played with good tempo in the first half, especially with the wind against us. We created a couple of really good chances. Their keeper made a couple of great saves. When Sarah was able to get the goal before half, we were able to settle down and Air Force had to come at us a little bit. The key was scoring before halftime because we had played very well in the first half."
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CU is now unbeaten in its past 13 season-opening matches with shutouts in 10 of those. The Buffs are now 11-5-5 all-time in season-openers.
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For the match, Colorado dominated from the start, outshooting Air Force 16-4.
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The Buffs controlled possession for much of the first half and outshot Air Force 7-2. Evans put three shots on goal, but Falcons goalkeeper Alex Kahalley made three saves, including a diving stop late in the half.
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Kinzner finally broke through with three seconds remaining in the first half. CU had a throw-in on the right sideline with 15 seconds remaining. After the ball worked its way to the top of the box, Stephanie Zuniga touched the ball over to Kinzner on the left side of the goal and her shot from 10 yards out sailed over Kahalley.
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"It was a tough half, going against the wind," Kinzner said. "Air Force is a great competition so it was very challenging, but Steph had a great ball across and when I got it, I could hear the clock counting down. You could feel our energy just boost up in the second half and I think that helped a bunch."
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CU had a flurry of scoring chances in the 59th and 60th minutes. Camilla Shymka was stopped on a breakaway, but her saved shot turned into a corner kick. The ensuing corner led to a blocked shot from the center of the box and then an eventual shot by Kahlia Hogg on frame that was controlled by Kahalley to stop the rally.
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In the 79th minute, CU had three consecutive corner kicks. Finally on the third one, Vidger connected on the far post to score her first career goal and give the Buffs a 2-0 lead.
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Colorado played both of its goalkeepers in the match. Jalen Tompkins earned the start and made one save in the first half and Scout Watson played the second half, stopping two shots for the combined shutout.
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"I thought they both commanded their box well," Sanchez said. "Both came off their line well, dealt with things when they had to. J.J. had a little bit more work, but not much, because of the wind in the first half. But we're confident in both of them and what they had when they're called upon to deal with situations and their communication and just managing the team. I thought they both did very well."
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CU will play its first home match of the season on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Colorado State at Prentup Field.
Postgame Quotes
Sarah Kinzner, sophomore
On dealing with the weather delay before the game
"It's very challenging to keep your head in the game and all of these things happening, lightning outside when we're all in the locker room. But our team is so close. We put on some music and stayed focused and got our mindset right for the game."
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On how the game went
"I think it was very good for the first game. There's always stuff you can improve on, but I thought it went well with the time delay and all of that."
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On the momentum the first goal gave the team
"It was a tough half, going against the wind. Air Force is a great competition so it was very challenging, but Steph had a great ball across and when I got it, I could hear the clock counting down. You could feel our energy just boost up in the second half and I think that helped a bunch."
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On how playing with the Canadian U-20 national team has helped at CU
"I learned a lot from those experiences, but I'm just in the here and now and staying connected with my team and doing everything I can to help them win."
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On what needs to improve for Sunday
"We have to continue to have that good ball movement and continue to support each other on and off the field."
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Danny Sanchez, head coach
Overall thoughts on the match
"With the delay, I was pleased with how we came out. I thought we played with good tempo in the first half, especially with the wind against us. We created a couple of really good chances. Their keeper made a couple of great saves. When Sarah was able to get the goal before half, we were able to settle down and Air Force had to come at us a little bit. The key was scoring before halftime because we had played very well in the first half."
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On dealing with the delay
"There are worse things in life than to hang out. I thought the attitude of the players was very good. They stayed upbeat. And Air Force had to deal with the same things. Same conditions, same delay for everybody. I'm pleased with the weather passed and at the end of the day, the field was beautiful and it was a great night for soccer."
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On things the team needs to work on for Sunday
"I thought we started to get a little bit impatient in the second half. We kind of lost our rhythm a little bit. But I'm probably nitpicking. I thought we were good in the back. We maybe could have been a little better in the final third, but our first game out, not playing an exhibition, I'm pleased to get the shutout and score a couple goals."
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On the play of both goalkeepers
"I thought they both commanded their box well. Both came off their line well, dealt with things when they had to. J.J. had a little bit more work, but not much, because of the wind in the first half. But we're confident in both of them and what they had when they're called upon to deal with situations and their communication and just managing the team. I thought they both did very well."
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The match was delayed before the start for one hour and 45 minutes due to lightning. When the lightning finally passed, the storm left a light mist and very strong winds from the north and west behind, creating adverse conditions for both teams.
Â
"With the delay, I was pleased with how we came out," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "I thought we played with good tempo in the first half, especially with the wind against us. We created a couple of really good chances. Their keeper made a couple of great saves. When Sarah was able to get the goal before half, we were able to settle down and Air Force had to come at us a little bit. The key was scoring before halftime because we had played very well in the first half."
Â
CU is now unbeaten in its past 13 season-opening matches with shutouts in 10 of those. The Buffs are now 11-5-5 all-time in season-openers.
Â
For the match, Colorado dominated from the start, outshooting Air Force 16-4.
Â
The Buffs controlled possession for much of the first half and outshot Air Force 7-2. Evans put three shots on goal, but Falcons goalkeeper Alex Kahalley made three saves, including a diving stop late in the half.
Â
Kinzner finally broke through with three seconds remaining in the first half. CU had a throw-in on the right sideline with 15 seconds remaining. After the ball worked its way to the top of the box, Stephanie Zuniga touched the ball over to Kinzner on the left side of the goal and her shot from 10 yards out sailed over Kahalley.
Â
"It was a tough half, going against the wind," Kinzner said. "Air Force is a great competition so it was very challenging, but Steph had a great ball across and when I got it, I could hear the clock counting down. You could feel our energy just boost up in the second half and I think that helped a bunch."
Â
CU had a flurry of scoring chances in the 59th and 60th minutes. Camilla Shymka was stopped on a breakaway, but her saved shot turned into a corner kick. The ensuing corner led to a blocked shot from the center of the box and then an eventual shot by Kahlia Hogg on frame that was controlled by Kahalley to stop the rally.
Â
In the 79th minute, CU had three consecutive corner kicks. Finally on the third one, Vidger connected on the far post to score her first career goal and give the Buffs a 2-0 lead.
Â
Colorado played both of its goalkeepers in the match. Jalen Tompkins earned the start and made one save in the first half and Scout Watson played the second half, stopping two shots for the combined shutout.
Â
"I thought they both commanded their box well," Sanchez said. "Both came off their line well, dealt with things when they had to. J.J. had a little bit more work, but not much, because of the wind in the first half. But we're confident in both of them and what they had when they're called upon to deal with situations and their communication and just managing the team. I thought they both did very well."
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CU will play its first home match of the season on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Colorado State at Prentup Field.
Postgame Quotes
Sarah Kinzner, sophomore
On dealing with the weather delay before the game
"It's very challenging to keep your head in the game and all of these things happening, lightning outside when we're all in the locker room. But our team is so close. We put on some music and stayed focused and got our mindset right for the game."
Â
On how the game went
"I think it was very good for the first game. There's always stuff you can improve on, but I thought it went well with the time delay and all of that."
Â
On the momentum the first goal gave the team
"It was a tough half, going against the wind. Air Force is a great competition so it was very challenging, but Steph had a great ball across and when I got it, I could hear the clock counting down. You could feel our energy just boost up in the second half and I think that helped a bunch."
Â
On how playing with the Canadian U-20 national team has helped at CU
"I learned a lot from those experiences, but I'm just in the here and now and staying connected with my team and doing everything I can to help them win."
Â
On what needs to improve for Sunday
"We have to continue to have that good ball movement and continue to support each other on and off the field."
Â
Danny Sanchez, head coach
Overall thoughts on the match
"With the delay, I was pleased with how we came out. I thought we played with good tempo in the first half, especially with the wind against us. We created a couple of really good chances. Their keeper made a couple of great saves. When Sarah was able to get the goal before half, we were able to settle down and Air Force had to come at us a little bit. The key was scoring before halftime because we had played very well in the first half."
Â
On dealing with the delay
"There are worse things in life than to hang out. I thought the attitude of the players was very good. They stayed upbeat. And Air Force had to deal with the same things. Same conditions, same delay for everybody. I'm pleased with the weather passed and at the end of the day, the field was beautiful and it was a great night for soccer."
Â
On things the team needs to work on for Sunday
"I thought we started to get a little bit impatient in the second half. We kind of lost our rhythm a little bit. But I'm probably nitpicking. I thought we were good in the back. We maybe could have been a little better in the final third, but our first game out, not playing an exhibition, I'm pleased to get the shutout and score a couple goals."
Â
On the play of both goalkeepers
"I thought they both commanded their box well. Both came off their line well, dealt with things when they had to. J.J. had a little bit more work, but not much, because of the wind in the first half. But we're confident in both of them and what they had when they're called upon to deal with situations and their communication and just managing the team. I thought they both did very well."
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Team Stats
COLO
AF
Goals
2
0
Shots
16
4
Shots on Goal
10
3
Saves
3
8
Corners
8
0
Fouls
8
4
Scoring Plays
Kinzner, Sarah (1)
Assisted By: Zuniga, Stephanie
from 10 yds straight out
44:57
Vidger, Alex (1)
Assisted By: Hogg, Kahlia
deflection inside the box
78:57
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
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/ SoccerM
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerD
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerF
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