Friday, September 4
Boulder, Colo.
4:30 PM
University of Colorado
1
vs
0
Cincinnati
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Buffs Edge Cincinnati, 1-0
September 04, 2015 | Soccer
BOULDER – The University of Colorado women's soccer team earned its second straight win on Friday afternoon, shutting out the Cincinnati Bearcats 1-0 at Prentup Field.
The Buffaloes and Bearcats played to a scoreless tie in the first half with Colorado putting together a few scoring opportunities, but couldn't find the back of the net. Less than 10 minutes into the contest, freshman Erin Greening connected on a header attempt, forcing Cincinnati goalkeeper Natalie Smith to dive and push it past the end line.
Senior Olivia Pappalardo and junior Danica Evans had back-to-back shots on goal in the 22nd and 23 minutes, but again Cincinnati came up with the stops. Pappalardo's shot went straight into the goalkeeper's hands and then Evans' header was grabbed in mid-air.
Smith was credited with five saves for the Bearcats and CU goalkeeper Kate Scheele made one save, helping the Buffs earn their third shutout. CU has yet to allow a goal on its home pitch in 2015, outscoring its opponents 8-0 in three matches.
Cincinnati had one of only a couple scoring chances in the 33rd minute after CU was called for a foul and the Bearcats were awarded a free kick about five yards outside the CU goal box. Defender Kelly Latimer took the kick, but sent it too high as it sailed over the crossbar.
The Colorado defense kept the Bearcats' offense in check, holding them to only three shots in the first half and five for the match. Seniors Madison Krauser and Kahlia Hogg along with junior Alex Huynh and freshman Joss Orejel logged the majority of the minutes on the back line and played tight man-to-man defense, forcing the Bearcats to make quick passes and not allowing any easy looks.
Determined to find that first strike, the Buffaloes came out with extra energy in the second half. Their aggressiveness paid off as Greening broke the tie, scoring her second goal of the year in the 48th minute. Freshman Sarah Kinzner had possession of the ball and chipped it past a defender to Greening running down the right side of the pitch. Greening's shot bounced off the crossbar and into the left corner. The Piedmont, Calif. native's goal proved to be the game-winner and her second on the young season.
This Erin Greening goal was the difference in the soccer team's 1-0 defeat of Cincinnati Friday. #GoBuffs https://t.co/JomoLJSMD1
— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) September 5, 2015
"I think we came out slow [in the first half], I don't know what it is with the cloudy weather, there just wasn't a lot of urgency and to be honest it wasn't our best performance today," said Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez. "Having said that, we were good in the back. Kate really didn't have to make a tough save, dealt with what she needed to and Erin scored a great goal off a nice assist from Sarah."
CU, unbeaten in its last eight home matches dating back to last season climbs to 3-1-1 overall. Cincinnati entered the contest undefeated in three straight fall to 2-2-1 in its 2015 campaign.
As a team, Colorado recorded 13 shots with six on goal and Evans led the way with four of her own. A combination of playing solid defense down the stretch and keeping Cincinnati's defenders on their heels, CU was able to secure the victory, however Sanchez knows there is room for improvement.
"We're still trying to find that consistency over 90 minutes," Sanchez said. "There were spurts today where I was really pleased. I thought we did a better job in the second half sharing the ball, moving it, especially once teams get tired, taking advantage of the altitude, but we need to be better in these matches."
The Buffaloes will look to make it three straight wins when they face former Big 12 foe Iowa State at Prentup Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. MDT. Fans are encouraged to Pedal to Prenup as the first 100 bikers to arrive will receive a free CU soccer t-shirt.
The Buffaloes and Bearcats played to a scoreless tie in the first half with Colorado putting together a few scoring opportunities, but couldn't find the back of the net. Less than 10 minutes into the contest, freshman Erin Greening connected on a header attempt, forcing Cincinnati goalkeeper Natalie Smith to dive and push it past the end line.
Senior Olivia Pappalardo and junior Danica Evans had back-to-back shots on goal in the 22nd and 23 minutes, but again Cincinnati came up with the stops. Pappalardo's shot went straight into the goalkeeper's hands and then Evans' header was grabbed in mid-air.
Smith was credited with five saves for the Bearcats and CU goalkeeper Kate Scheele made one save, helping the Buffs earn their third shutout. CU has yet to allow a goal on its home pitch in 2015, outscoring its opponents 8-0 in three matches.
Cincinnati had one of only a couple scoring chances in the 33rd minute after CU was called for a foul and the Bearcats were awarded a free kick about five yards outside the CU goal box. Defender Kelly Latimer took the kick, but sent it too high as it sailed over the crossbar.
The Colorado defense kept the Bearcats' offense in check, holding them to only three shots in the first half and five for the match. Seniors Madison Krauser and Kahlia Hogg along with junior Alex Huynh and freshman Joss Orejel logged the majority of the minutes on the back line and played tight man-to-man defense, forcing the Bearcats to make quick passes and not allowing any easy looks.
Determined to find that first strike, the Buffaloes came out with extra energy in the second half. Their aggressiveness paid off as Greening broke the tie, scoring her second goal of the year in the 48th minute. Freshman Sarah Kinzner had possession of the ball and chipped it past a defender to Greening running down the right side of the pitch. Greening's shot bounced off the crossbar and into the left corner. The Piedmont, Calif. native's goal proved to be the game-winner and her second on the young season.
This Erin Greening goal was the difference in the soccer team's 1-0 defeat of Cincinnati Friday. #GoBuffs https://t.co/JomoLJSMD1
— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) September 5, 2015
"I think we came out slow [in the first half], I don't know what it is with the cloudy weather, there just wasn't a lot of urgency and to be honest it wasn't our best performance today," said Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez. "Having said that, we were good in the back. Kate really didn't have to make a tough save, dealt with what she needed to and Erin scored a great goal off a nice assist from Sarah."
CU, unbeaten in its last eight home matches dating back to last season climbs to 3-1-1 overall. Cincinnati entered the contest undefeated in three straight fall to 2-2-1 in its 2015 campaign.
As a team, Colorado recorded 13 shots with six on goal and Evans led the way with four of her own. A combination of playing solid defense down the stretch and keeping Cincinnati's defenders on their heels, CU was able to secure the victory, however Sanchez knows there is room for improvement.
"We're still trying to find that consistency over 90 minutes," Sanchez said. "There were spurts today where I was really pleased. I thought we did a better job in the second half sharing the ball, moving it, especially once teams get tired, taking advantage of the altitude, but we need to be better in these matches."
The Buffaloes will look to make it three straight wins when they face former Big 12 foe Iowa State at Prentup Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. MDT. Fans are encouraged to Pedal to Prenup as the first 100 bikers to arrive will receive a free CU soccer t-shirt.