Thursday, October 19
Boulder, Colo.
3:00 PM
University of Colorado
3
vs
0
Arizona State
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Puketapu's Brace Leads Buffs To 3-0 Win Over Arizona State
October 19, 2017 | Soccer
Puketapu and Massey combined for three first-half goals in the win
BOULDER – Colorado scored three first-half goals to cruise to a 3-0 win over Arizona State on Thursday afternoon at Prentup Field. The Buffs snapped a three-match losing streak and improved to 8-5-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the Pac-12, while ASU fell to 4-8-2 and 1-5-1.
Freshman Marty Puketapu recorded a brace for CU and Megan Massey added another goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Puketapu broke the scoring open in the fifth minute, tapping in a rebound after Massey's shot was blocked off the goal line by an ASU defender.
Massey got herself in the scoring column in the 14th minute. Becca Rasmussen fed a ball through the midfield to Taylor Kornieck just outside the top-left side of the box. Kornieck sent a through ball across to the right side of the box and Massey slotted it inside the near post with her left foot.
Puketapu scored again in the 31st minute, a volley off a long cross from Kornieck. Erin Greening worked up the right sideline into the ASU zone and pushed the ball up to Kornieck along the sideline. From 25 yards out, she whipped the ball to the far post and Puketapu punched it in with her left foot for the score.
The Buffs continued to pressure much of the second half, while resting some of the starters at times, but were unable to build on their 3-0 halftime lead.
KEY STATISTICS: Jalen Tompkins played the first 45 minutes and made four saves. Scout Watson made two saves in the second half. The Buffs outshot ASU 10-6 in shots on goal, even though the overall shot attempts were an even 18-18.
NOTES: CU's three goals in the first half were the most for the Buffs in one half against a Pac-12 opponent since joining the league in 2011 ... Puketapu had her second multi-goal match of her freshman season and her seven goals on the season move her into a tie for fifth-most ever for a CU freshman ... Kornieck tied her career high with two assists, her second two-assist match of her career ... Greening recorded her first career assist and it was her first point since her freshman season in 2015 (she was moved to defender last season, but moved back into the midfield last week) ... the Buffs entered the match with a 418:26 goalless drought, but scored just 4:43 into the action on Thursday.
UP NEXT: CU hosts Arizona at 1 p.m. on Sunday. It will be the final home match of the season for the Buffs and is the annual Kick-Or-Treat day with Halloween activities for kids dressed in their costumes.
POSTGAME QUOTES:
Danny Sanchez, head coach
On team's lasting confidence
"I thought we played well. We had a little hiccup right at the beginning of the game when they hit the crossbar so it could have been a different game, but I felt after that we scored three great goals. I felt as we kind of went to our reserves, I thought some players played really well. Players who haven't had a lot of minutes in Pac-12 games really stepped in and kid of kept the momentum going through the second half. We took the foot off of the gas a little bit obviously, but it was great to get everyone a lot of minutes and it was great to rest some of our players who play a lot of minutes. We will be ready to go on Sunday."
On strength of players to maintain confidence through losing streak
"Well I think that it has to start with the coaching staff. You have to believe what you're saying and we are believing what we are saying. We know that we're a good team, and they were good teams, so there was no shame in not getting the results in those games. It wouldn't have been a shame if we didn't get it today. You say that a lot, but at some point you need to have some reward for your work. Obviously getting three goals today, getting a shutout, playing well defensively was needed.
On impact of having Sarah Kinzner back
"She's a three-year starter in the midfield, she is very composed on the ball, and she only played the first game of the season. She missed five conference games, so it was great to get her back in. She's still not 100 percent, but probably close. We got her about 50 minutes today, so she will be ready to go for Sunday.
On what changed offensively
"I think that we got better looks. The chances we had last stretch were half chances. When you look at the goals from today, those were good chances. Ones that you should bury, and we had other half chances that didn't fall in the second half. I think that we created more opportunities and the players work hard every day. If they work hard, good things will happen.
On players returning to full health
"We have a great sports medicine department with all of our team doctors. We want to make sure that they are healthy when they go back in. Any soccer player will tell you that they don't want to wear anything restrictive, so I think Nancy (Best) and Camilla (Shymka) played really well today.
On looking towards Arizona on Sunday
"They've had a great season, they are a high RPI team, they are playing Utah tonight. They have had some great results in conference play. They tied UCLA after being down 2-0. They are an NCAA tournament team this year. This is another great opportunity, we have a lot of great opportunities to play great teams and this is another great opportunity. This is another very good team who is having a very good season. We'll recover tomorrow, get back after it on Saturday, and we hope that it is going to be 70 degrees and sunny. We really need the support of everyone on Sunday at 1 p.m. There is a late football game, so sleep in, get brunch, and be out here at 1 p.m. This is an exciting team and this is going to be an NCAA quality game on Sunday.
On Taylor Kornieck's offensive performance
"I mean she had two first class assists. It was unfortunate not to get a goal in the second half where she flicked it to herself and almost scored. She is having a great season. The coaches know, the opponents know, and obviously we know that she is putting in a lot of work on both ends of the ball. (Points) will come. Hopefully this was a preview of what she is going to do in these last four conference games.
Marty Puketapu, freshman
On how the team was able to come out strong, scoring three goals in the first half
"We all kept each other accountable. We knew that we all needed to focus on the team, and not just on individuals. We worked really, really hard as a team and kept to our game plan, kept our shape on defense, and we were very clinical on offense."
On the confidence of the team moving forward
"We are very confident. We know that it is not going to come easy. We had to face the very top teams first, but we still have very quality teams to come. We know we just have to keep working hard, and hopefully it will go our way."
On what the team needs to focus on moving forward to end the season strong
"We need to be a lot more clinical in the final third. We scored three goals which is awesome, but we just have to keep that rolling and keep the goals coming moving forward. Our communication needs to step up, and we need to continue to work as a team."
Freshman Marty Puketapu recorded a brace for CU and Megan Massey added another goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Puketapu broke the scoring open in the fifth minute, tapping in a rebound after Massey's shot was blocked off the goal line by an ASU defender.
Massey got herself in the scoring column in the 14th minute. Becca Rasmussen fed a ball through the midfield to Taylor Kornieck just outside the top-left side of the box. Kornieck sent a through ball across to the right side of the box and Massey slotted it inside the near post with her left foot.
Puketapu scored again in the 31st minute, a volley off a long cross from Kornieck. Erin Greening worked up the right sideline into the ASU zone and pushed the ball up to Kornieck along the sideline. From 25 yards out, she whipped the ball to the far post and Puketapu punched it in with her left foot for the score.
The Buffs continued to pressure much of the second half, while resting some of the starters at times, but were unable to build on their 3-0 halftime lead.
KEY STATISTICS: Jalen Tompkins played the first 45 minutes and made four saves. Scout Watson made two saves in the second half. The Buffs outshot ASU 10-6 in shots on goal, even though the overall shot attempts were an even 18-18.
NOTES: CU's three goals in the first half were the most for the Buffs in one half against a Pac-12 opponent since joining the league in 2011 ... Puketapu had her second multi-goal match of her freshman season and her seven goals on the season move her into a tie for fifth-most ever for a CU freshman ... Kornieck tied her career high with two assists, her second two-assist match of her career ... Greening recorded her first career assist and it was her first point since her freshman season in 2015 (she was moved to defender last season, but moved back into the midfield last week) ... the Buffs entered the match with a 418:26 goalless drought, but scored just 4:43 into the action on Thursday.
UP NEXT: CU hosts Arizona at 1 p.m. on Sunday. It will be the final home match of the season for the Buffs and is the annual Kick-Or-Treat day with Halloween activities for kids dressed in their costumes.
POSTGAME QUOTES:
Danny Sanchez, head coach
On team's lasting confidence
"I thought we played well. We had a little hiccup right at the beginning of the game when they hit the crossbar so it could have been a different game, but I felt after that we scored three great goals. I felt as we kind of went to our reserves, I thought some players played really well. Players who haven't had a lot of minutes in Pac-12 games really stepped in and kid of kept the momentum going through the second half. We took the foot off of the gas a little bit obviously, but it was great to get everyone a lot of minutes and it was great to rest some of our players who play a lot of minutes. We will be ready to go on Sunday."
On strength of players to maintain confidence through losing streak
"Well I think that it has to start with the coaching staff. You have to believe what you're saying and we are believing what we are saying. We know that we're a good team, and they were good teams, so there was no shame in not getting the results in those games. It wouldn't have been a shame if we didn't get it today. You say that a lot, but at some point you need to have some reward for your work. Obviously getting three goals today, getting a shutout, playing well defensively was needed.
On impact of having Sarah Kinzner back
"She's a three-year starter in the midfield, she is very composed on the ball, and she only played the first game of the season. She missed five conference games, so it was great to get her back in. She's still not 100 percent, but probably close. We got her about 50 minutes today, so she will be ready to go for Sunday.
On what changed offensively
"I think that we got better looks. The chances we had last stretch were half chances. When you look at the goals from today, those were good chances. Ones that you should bury, and we had other half chances that didn't fall in the second half. I think that we created more opportunities and the players work hard every day. If they work hard, good things will happen.
On players returning to full health
"We have a great sports medicine department with all of our team doctors. We want to make sure that they are healthy when they go back in. Any soccer player will tell you that they don't want to wear anything restrictive, so I think Nancy (Best) and Camilla (Shymka) played really well today.
On looking towards Arizona on Sunday
"They've had a great season, they are a high RPI team, they are playing Utah tonight. They have had some great results in conference play. They tied UCLA after being down 2-0. They are an NCAA tournament team this year. This is another great opportunity, we have a lot of great opportunities to play great teams and this is another great opportunity. This is another very good team who is having a very good season. We'll recover tomorrow, get back after it on Saturday, and we hope that it is going to be 70 degrees and sunny. We really need the support of everyone on Sunday at 1 p.m. There is a late football game, so sleep in, get brunch, and be out here at 1 p.m. This is an exciting team and this is going to be an NCAA quality game on Sunday.
On Taylor Kornieck's offensive performance
"I mean she had two first class assists. It was unfortunate not to get a goal in the second half where she flicked it to herself and almost scored. She is having a great season. The coaches know, the opponents know, and obviously we know that she is putting in a lot of work on both ends of the ball. (Points) will come. Hopefully this was a preview of what she is going to do in these last four conference games.
Marty Puketapu, freshman
On how the team was able to come out strong, scoring three goals in the first half
"We all kept each other accountable. We knew that we all needed to focus on the team, and not just on individuals. We worked really, really hard as a team and kept to our game plan, kept our shape on defense, and we were very clinical on offense."
On the confidence of the team moving forward
"We are very confident. We know that it is not going to come easy. We had to face the very top teams first, but we still have very quality teams to come. We know we just have to keep working hard, and hopefully it will go our way."
On what the team needs to focus on moving forward to end the season strong
"We need to be a lot more clinical in the final third. We scored three goals which is awesome, but we just have to keep that rolling and keep the goals coming moving forward. Our communication needs to step up, and we need to continue to work as a team."