Colorado University Athletics
Top 20 Soccer Moments: No. 17
September 05, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER - Nikki Marshall had a very busy 2008 junior season, she lead the Buffs to a 14-5-4 (6-2-2 Big 12) record and a NCAA Tournament berth. Along the way she was the team's second-leading scorer with eight goals, and she finished the season with 34 career goals, becoming CU's all-time leader in goals scored, a record she still holds today at 42 goals.
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Her work on the field leading up to and during the 2008 season earned Marshall the greatest honor an athlete can have, and that's the opportunity to play for the national team, being called up to be a part of the 2008 U-20 United States Women's National Team.
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She spent time in June of 2008 playing on the U-20 national team as it played through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament. Even though the team dropped the championship game against Canada, a berth had already been earned for the U-20 World Cup in December.
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Marshall was a defender for the national team, and her major contributions to the backline allowed for the national team to roll through the World Cup group stage only losing one match. Victories over England and Germany set the stage for a World Championship game against North Korea.
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The United States finished the job, winning 2-1 to win the 2008 U-20 World Cup. But it might not have been, had it not been for Marshall's key defensive play during the championship game. Early on in the game's first ten minutes, North Korea had an open net opportunity to score the first goal. But Marshall had positioned herself in front of the net, and was able to charge the play and clear the ball just in time to keep the game scoreless.
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Marshall's key play, along with the rest of her contributions to the defensive four earned her the Sierra Mist Woman of the Match in the championship game. It was another great achievement for Marshall, who is one of the most decorated soccer players to ever attend CU.Â
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Marshall started 2008 strong, continued the pace throughout the season, and she finished the year even stronger as a World Champion.
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In 2014, Marshall earned her first call-up to the USWNT as she was named to the roster for a friendly against Canada after her success as part of the U-20 and U-23 teams earlier.
After retiring in early 2015, Marshall has since joined CU as a volunteer assistant coach.
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. ???
14. ???
15. ???
16. ???
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
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Her work on the field leading up to and during the 2008 season earned Marshall the greatest honor an athlete can have, and that's the opportunity to play for the national team, being called up to be a part of the 2008 U-20 United States Women's National Team.
Â
She spent time in June of 2008 playing on the U-20 national team as it played through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament. Even though the team dropped the championship game against Canada, a berth had already been earned for the U-20 World Cup in December.
Â
Marshall was a defender for the national team, and her major contributions to the backline allowed for the national team to roll through the World Cup group stage only losing one match. Victories over England and Germany set the stage for a World Championship game against North Korea.
Â
The United States finished the job, winning 2-1 to win the 2008 U-20 World Cup. But it might not have been, had it not been for Marshall's key defensive play during the championship game. Early on in the game's first ten minutes, North Korea had an open net opportunity to score the first goal. But Marshall had positioned herself in front of the net, and was able to charge the play and clear the ball just in time to keep the game scoreless.
Â
Marshall's key play, along with the rest of her contributions to the defensive four earned her the Sierra Mist Woman of the Match in the championship game. It was another great achievement for Marshall, who is one of the most decorated soccer players to ever attend CU.Â
Â
Marshall started 2008 strong, continued the pace throughout the season, and she finished the year even stronger as a World Champion.
Â
In 2014, Marshall earned her first call-up to the USWNT as she was named to the roster for a friendly against Canada after her success as part of the U-20 and U-23 teams earlier.
After retiring in early 2015, Marshall has since joined CU as a volunteer assistant coach.
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. ???
14. ???
15. ???
16. ???
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
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