Colorado University Athletics
Top 20 Soccer Moments: No. 13
September 19, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER – In 2011 the University of Colorado entered new and uncharted waters, as CU made a big change in athletics, moving from the Big 12 Conference to the newly expanded Pac-12. For CU's women's soccer team this transition wasn't an easy one, but the Buffs wouldn't allow themselves to go winless during the first time through their new conference schedule, taking a road match against California 1-0 on Oct. 21 for their first Pac-12 conference win.
Upon entering the Pac-12, CU had only played their new conference mates 11 times, compiling a 1-10 record against what was then called the Pac-10. The sole win came in 2010 against then-ranked No. 12 UCLA in a double overtime marathon that saw the Buffs come away with the 1-0 victory.
So CU didn't enter the Pac-12 with much history of success against the teams they would now be measured up against year in and year out. Upon entering their first Pac-12 conference schedule the Buffs had a 2-6-0 record, but they did win their last non-conference game 2-1 against Cal State Bakersfield.
CU's first conference game in the Pac-12 was against No. 24 Oregon State, a team the Buffs hadn't played before, and CU dropped the match in Corvallis 2-0. The struggles continued for the Buffs, as they navigated the tough Pac-12 schedule facing a tough matchup game after game.
But the Buffs had determination to not go winless in their inaugural Pac-12 season, and they went to Berkeley, Calif., on Oct. 21 with one goal in mind: win.
Junior goalkeeper Kayla Millar stepped up for the Buffs, recording six saves to lockdown the shutout. Millar was tested early, as Cal got a shot on goal just 48 seconds into the match en route to a 20 shot performance that Millar and the Buff backline handled throughout.
Sophomore Hayley Hughes scored the only goal of the game early in the second half. As she was able to outrun a defender and receive a ball played over the top in the 62nd minute giving CU the lead they needed.
CU then locked down defensively, including facing and successfully defending three straight corners in the 70th minute. The team held off the Cal attack for the remainder of the match to secure the first win since joining the Pac-12, and their first win ever against Cal.
Having won its first conference match on the road, proved that the program would only improve within conference play. And three years later, in 2014, the Buffs would pull off six conference wins on the way to their first winning season in the Pac-12.
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. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. ???
10. ???
11. ???
12. ???
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
Upon entering the Pac-12, CU had only played their new conference mates 11 times, compiling a 1-10 record against what was then called the Pac-10. The sole win came in 2010 against then-ranked No. 12 UCLA in a double overtime marathon that saw the Buffs come away with the 1-0 victory.
So CU didn't enter the Pac-12 with much history of success against the teams they would now be measured up against year in and year out. Upon entering their first Pac-12 conference schedule the Buffs had a 2-6-0 record, but they did win their last non-conference game 2-1 against Cal State Bakersfield.
CU's first conference game in the Pac-12 was against No. 24 Oregon State, a team the Buffs hadn't played before, and CU dropped the match in Corvallis 2-0. The struggles continued for the Buffs, as they navigated the tough Pac-12 schedule facing a tough matchup game after game.
But the Buffs had determination to not go winless in their inaugural Pac-12 season, and they went to Berkeley, Calif., on Oct. 21 with one goal in mind: win.
Junior goalkeeper Kayla Millar stepped up for the Buffs, recording six saves to lockdown the shutout. Millar was tested early, as Cal got a shot on goal just 48 seconds into the match en route to a 20 shot performance that Millar and the Buff backline handled throughout.
Sophomore Hayley Hughes scored the only goal of the game early in the second half. As she was able to outrun a defender and receive a ball played over the top in the 62nd minute giving CU the lead they needed.
CU then locked down defensively, including facing and successfully defending three straight corners in the 70th minute. The team held off the Cal attack for the remainder of the match to secure the first win since joining the Pac-12, and their first win ever against Cal.
Having won its first conference match on the road, proved that the program would only improve within conference play. And three years later, in 2014, the Buffs would pull off six conference wins on the way to their first winning season in the Pac-12.
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. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. ???
10. ???
11. ???
12. ???
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
Soccer: Colorado vs Kansas Highlights - Nov. 5, 2025
Thursday, November 06
Soccer: Postgame Press Conference vs UCF - Nov. 3, 2025
Tuesday, November 04
Soccer: Colorado vs UCF Highlights - Nov. 3, 2025
Tuesday, November 04
This Week in Colorado Soccer - The Big 12 Tournament
Sunday, November 02