Buffs Go 2-0 In Opening Weekend Of Spring Soccer

BOULDER - In its first two games of the 2014 spring season, the University of Colorado soccer team impressed, picking up wins against two in-state schools and holding its opponents to just four total shots.

Hosting games on Friday and Sunday, the Buffaloes outscored Air Force and Metro State five to one. The Buffs allowed just three total looks on goal. CU also took 13 corner kicks while allowing zero to its competition.

Following up on an outstanding collegiate debut in the fall, Brie Hooks continues to lead the Buffs in the spring, recording a team-high five points off of two goals and an assist.

CU head coach Danny Sanchez, who is entering his third season with the Buffs, extends his spring record to an impressive 15-1-1.

On Friday night versus Air Force, the Buffs shut out the Falcons 3-0. CU took 15 shots to AFA's two, limiting the Falcons to just one shot on goal. The Buffs hold a 5-1 regular season lead over the Falcons and have outscored them five to zero in their past two spring match-ups.

Junior-to-be Nikki Machalek scored first for the Buffs, getting an assist from Portland transfer and Lakewood, Colo. native Madi Hall. Hooks then helped the Buffs to a two-goal lead, first scoring with assists from soon-to-be seniors Brooke Rice and Tori Cooper. She added the final insurance by assisting Madison Krauser to the Buffs' third goal.

On Sunday, the Buffs faced coach Sanchez's former team, the Metro State Roadrunners. In his six-year coaching tenure, Sanchez led the Roadrunners to a 128-11-7 record and a pair of NCAA Division II Championships.

The Buffs edged Metro State 2-1 and dominated the offense, taking 24 shots (13 on goal). Metro State took just two shots, but hit both on them on target. The Roadrunners were strong in goal, grabbing 11 saves.

Hooks once again succeeded on offense, netting one off a Bianca Jones assist. Darcy Jerman hit the game-winner, with the assist once again coming from classmate Jones.

Colorado has just under a month before their next spring matches as the team heads to Denver for the Regis University Tournament on Saturday, April 5 to face two more DII teams. CU opens the double-header against host Regis at 10 a.m. Next up for the Buffs is Fort Lewis College at 1:30 p.m. CU swiftly defeated Fort Lewis 2-0 in last spring's Colorado Mesa University Tournament.