Friday, November 3
Salt Lake City, Utah
1:00 PM
Colorado
at
Utah
Sarah Kinzner
Photo by: Lance Wendt
Buffs Clicking At The Right Time Heading To Regular Season Finale
November 01, 2017 | Soccer
Kinzner's return and lineup changes have been key to recent streak
BOULDER – Colorado's soccer team is riding a four-match unbeaten streak into Friday's regular-season finale at Utah. The Buffs have yet to concede a goal during the stretch, spanning 453 minutes since the team last allowed a goal (Oct. 13 at No. 6 USC).
The recent success is building confidence for the Buffs as they prepare for a potential NCAA Tournament bid on Monday, and it comes on the heels of a three-match losing streak against top-20 foes California, Stanford and USC.
The play of CU's defensive corps has been one of the biggest factors in the recent turnaround.
"We're really pleased with the back four," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "Alex Vidger has stepped in and given us another option and played really well the last four or five games in the back, which has allowed us to push Erin Greening up the field a little bit more. She's very versatile and can play on any of the three lines. It's good to have more options with that."
Vidger played much of the season as a holding midfielder after spending last season as a centerback. In CU's 2-0 win over Arizona State on Oct. 19, the start of the recent unbeaten streak, she moved to the back line, while Cassie Phillips took over the role of holding center mid. Those moves have also allowed Greening to move to her more natural attacking role from the midfield after starting much of the season as the team's right-outside back.
Sanchez said his other three starting backs have also played well, meshing with Vidger instantly on the back line.
"Obviously Kelsey [Aaknes], Joss [Orejel] and Hannah [Cardenas] have been rock solid all season," Sanchez said. "I think in the holding midfield, Nancy [Best] has come in the last four or five games and really done a good job for us when called upon."
Best, a junior from Arizona, has emerged as one of the team's top subs recently, seeing the most extensive action of her career. In the past four matches, she has played 108 minutes, including a career-high 37 minutes against ASU. She entered the season with just 126 career minutes played.
Of course talking about the success of the Buffs defense cannot exclude the team's goalkeepers, who have performed at a high level all year. Jalen Tompkins has been named Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week the past two weeks and her current stretch of 408 minutes without conceding is the second-longest in school history in conference-only matches, and is the longest since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
Tompkins currently ranks second in the Pac-12 in save percentage (.880) and fourth in goals-against average (0.57). Scout Watson has also played well when given the opportunity, and has a 0.73 GAA for the season.
"And in goal, JJ and Scout, when she's had opportunities, have been very consistent and kept us in games so it's really a collaborative effort [by the team for the recent success]."
The old cliché of "defense wins championships" bodes well for the Buffs with their defensive effort peaking right before the start of postseason. But first, they must tackle Utah, an opponent that has developed into a rival since the two schools joined the Pac-12 in 2011. CU is 7-4-2 all-time against Utah, but just 1-3-2 since the two have been in the Pac-12.
Last season's matchup resulted in a 1-1 draw and both teams entered that match ranked in the top 25. Neither team is ranked ahead of this year's matchup, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot at stake. A win for CU will lock up sixth place in the Pac-12 table for the 2017 season. Last year, six Pac-12 teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Despite sitting on the bubble in the Pac-12 standings, the Buffs look to be in the postseason regardless of Friday's result with a current RPI of 37, but that does not mean they want to coast through their final regular-season match. A clean sheet on Friday would give both Tompkins and the team a new record for longest shutout streak in conference-only matches. But beyond the records, the team just wants a result.
"Just to win," Tompkins said of the team's goal heading into Friday. "That's the only thing that's on my mind and I think that's the only thing that's on the team's mind. I don't care how we do it, just as long as we do it."
SCOUTING UTAH
The Utes have struggled since the start of Pac-12 play, currently holding just two points and sitting in last place with a 0-8-2 record in conference play. Overall, they are 5-10-3 after starting the season 5-2-1 through non-conference play, including a win over Kansas and a draw with BYU.
Offensively, they are very dangerous with two of the top attacking players in the Pac-12 in juniors Paola Van der Veen and Hailey Skolmoski. Both players have scored eight goals each this season, though they have combined for just three since the start of Pac-12 play. Van der Veen is a native of The Netherlands and is one of the top up-and-coming players in her home country. Skolmoski scored 13 goals last season and was a first-team All-Pac-12 performer a year ago.
Tompkins knows Skolmoski on a personal level as the two have competed against each other throughout their youth careers.
"I don't know how much you're going to slow her down, but we're going to manager her," Tompkins said. "Our defense always manages big players. You can look at [every big-time player we've played] and the defense has managed them. Another thing [to slow Utah's attack] is just pushing them wide, making it as easy as they can for me."
"They're a good attacking team," Sanchez said. "Like I told the team, you can throw their record out. It's just been one of those years for Utah [where they struggle to pick up results]. But when you really look at the run of play, the quality chances in every game, they could easily have four or five wins in the Pac-12.
"And I think the thing with Utah is all 11 players attack so we have to keep our shape and we have to be disciplined in what we do because they move the ball around and they'll have the ball for stretches. We have to do what we do well, which is defend collectively and attack with tempo."
KINZNER A KEY TO THE BUFFS UNBEATEN STREAK
Sarah Kinzner's quick return from injury cannot be overlooked when considering keys to CU's four-match unbeaten streak. Kinzner suffered a lower-body injury in a 2-0 win at Washington State on Sept. 28. That injury kept her off the field for two matches and out of the starting 11 for four matches, watching the team go 0-3-1 during that stretch.
While her presence has yet to show up in the scoring column, she is a key to CU with her defending, linking passes in the midfield, and creating chances for the forwards and attacking midfielders. Her absence from the lineup for four matches also forced Sanchez to move other players around.
"When Sarah went out, it hurt our depth in the midfield," Sanchez said. "I think you saw Becca [Rasmussen] playing more minutes there and that was part of the reason we pushed Erin [Greening] up in there to spark the attack a little bit.
"Having her back as a three-year starter in the midfield gives us more options, not only when we start, but when we sub and move players around. We need all hands on deck and Sarah's a big part of what we do."
Kinzner credited CU's athletic training staff for getting her back on the field so quickly.
"I did a lot of rehab with Kari [Kebach]," Kinzner said. "She helped me out a lot. Getting good sleep, doing everything I could to get back as soon as possible [was what I focused on]."
With Kinzner back in the lineup and everyone clicking right now, a deep postseason run is certainly possible.
"Anytime we can get a three-year starter back in the lineup, it's a good thing and it brings confidence to the team," Tompkins said of Kinzner's return. "Sarah's a playmaker and she's very crafty and has good game awareness so it's good to get her back and get things going again. Everything's coming together right now."
But before the postseason begins, the Buffs will be looking for a result on Friday at Utah.
"It's going to be a tough game," Kinzner said. "Utah, although they haven't been getting the results they wanted, they're still a really good team so we need to come out with as much energy as we can and focus on the game plan."
The recent success is building confidence for the Buffs as they prepare for a potential NCAA Tournament bid on Monday, and it comes on the heels of a three-match losing streak against top-20 foes California, Stanford and USC.
The play of CU's defensive corps has been one of the biggest factors in the recent turnaround.
"We're really pleased with the back four," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "Alex Vidger has stepped in and given us another option and played really well the last four or five games in the back, which has allowed us to push Erin Greening up the field a little bit more. She's very versatile and can play on any of the three lines. It's good to have more options with that."
Vidger played much of the season as a holding midfielder after spending last season as a centerback. In CU's 2-0 win over Arizona State on Oct. 19, the start of the recent unbeaten streak, she moved to the back line, while Cassie Phillips took over the role of holding center mid. Those moves have also allowed Greening to move to her more natural attacking role from the midfield after starting much of the season as the team's right-outside back.
Sanchez said his other three starting backs have also played well, meshing with Vidger instantly on the back line.
"Obviously Kelsey [Aaknes], Joss [Orejel] and Hannah [Cardenas] have been rock solid all season," Sanchez said. "I think in the holding midfield, Nancy [Best] has come in the last four or five games and really done a good job for us when called upon."
Best, a junior from Arizona, has emerged as one of the team's top subs recently, seeing the most extensive action of her career. In the past four matches, she has played 108 minutes, including a career-high 37 minutes against ASU. She entered the season with just 126 career minutes played.
Of course talking about the success of the Buffs defense cannot exclude the team's goalkeepers, who have performed at a high level all year. Jalen Tompkins has been named Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week the past two weeks and her current stretch of 408 minutes without conceding is the second-longest in school history in conference-only matches, and is the longest since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
Tompkins currently ranks second in the Pac-12 in save percentage (.880) and fourth in goals-against average (0.57). Scout Watson has also played well when given the opportunity, and has a 0.73 GAA for the season.
"And in goal, JJ and Scout, when she's had opportunities, have been very consistent and kept us in games so it's really a collaborative effort [by the team for the recent success]."
The old cliché of "defense wins championships" bodes well for the Buffs with their defensive effort peaking right before the start of postseason. But first, they must tackle Utah, an opponent that has developed into a rival since the two schools joined the Pac-12 in 2011. CU is 7-4-2 all-time against Utah, but just 1-3-2 since the two have been in the Pac-12.
Last season's matchup resulted in a 1-1 draw and both teams entered that match ranked in the top 25. Neither team is ranked ahead of this year's matchup, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot at stake. A win for CU will lock up sixth place in the Pac-12 table for the 2017 season. Last year, six Pac-12 teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Despite sitting on the bubble in the Pac-12 standings, the Buffs look to be in the postseason regardless of Friday's result with a current RPI of 37, but that does not mean they want to coast through their final regular-season match. A clean sheet on Friday would give both Tompkins and the team a new record for longest shutout streak in conference-only matches. But beyond the records, the team just wants a result.
"Just to win," Tompkins said of the team's goal heading into Friday. "That's the only thing that's on my mind and I think that's the only thing that's on the team's mind. I don't care how we do it, just as long as we do it."
SCOUTING UTAH
The Utes have struggled since the start of Pac-12 play, currently holding just two points and sitting in last place with a 0-8-2 record in conference play. Overall, they are 5-10-3 after starting the season 5-2-1 through non-conference play, including a win over Kansas and a draw with BYU.
Offensively, they are very dangerous with two of the top attacking players in the Pac-12 in juniors Paola Van der Veen and Hailey Skolmoski. Both players have scored eight goals each this season, though they have combined for just three since the start of Pac-12 play. Van der Veen is a native of The Netherlands and is one of the top up-and-coming players in her home country. Skolmoski scored 13 goals last season and was a first-team All-Pac-12 performer a year ago.
Tompkins knows Skolmoski on a personal level as the two have competed against each other throughout their youth careers.
"I don't know how much you're going to slow her down, but we're going to manager her," Tompkins said. "Our defense always manages big players. You can look at [every big-time player we've played] and the defense has managed them. Another thing [to slow Utah's attack] is just pushing them wide, making it as easy as they can for me."
"They're a good attacking team," Sanchez said. "Like I told the team, you can throw their record out. It's just been one of those years for Utah [where they struggle to pick up results]. But when you really look at the run of play, the quality chances in every game, they could easily have four or five wins in the Pac-12.
"And I think the thing with Utah is all 11 players attack so we have to keep our shape and we have to be disciplined in what we do because they move the ball around and they'll have the ball for stretches. We have to do what we do well, which is defend collectively and attack with tempo."
KINZNER A KEY TO THE BUFFS UNBEATEN STREAK
Sarah Kinzner's quick return from injury cannot be overlooked when considering keys to CU's four-match unbeaten streak. Kinzner suffered a lower-body injury in a 2-0 win at Washington State on Sept. 28. That injury kept her off the field for two matches and out of the starting 11 for four matches, watching the team go 0-3-1 during that stretch.
While her presence has yet to show up in the scoring column, she is a key to CU with her defending, linking passes in the midfield, and creating chances for the forwards and attacking midfielders. Her absence from the lineup for four matches also forced Sanchez to move other players around.
"When Sarah went out, it hurt our depth in the midfield," Sanchez said. "I think you saw Becca [Rasmussen] playing more minutes there and that was part of the reason we pushed Erin [Greening] up in there to spark the attack a little bit.
"Having her back as a three-year starter in the midfield gives us more options, not only when we start, but when we sub and move players around. We need all hands on deck and Sarah's a big part of what we do."
Kinzner credited CU's athletic training staff for getting her back on the field so quickly.
"I did a lot of rehab with Kari [Kebach]," Kinzner said. "She helped me out a lot. Getting good sleep, doing everything I could to get back as soon as possible [was what I focused on]."
With Kinzner back in the lineup and everyone clicking right now, a deep postseason run is certainly possible.
"Anytime we can get a three-year starter back in the lineup, it's a good thing and it brings confidence to the team," Tompkins said of Kinzner's return. "Sarah's a playmaker and she's very crafty and has good game awareness so it's good to get her back and get things going again. Everything's coming together right now."
But before the postseason begins, the Buffs will be looking for a result on Friday at Utah.
"It's going to be a tough game," Kinzner said. "Utah, although they haven't been getting the results they wanted, they're still a really good team so we need to come out with as much energy as we can and focus on the game plan."
Players Mentioned
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