Barton, Hansen Help Buffs Over Ducks

EUGENE, Ore.—A goal from sophomore Tessa Barton and seven saves from goalkeeper Dani Hansen helped Colorado to the weekend split, earning a 1-0 victory over the Oregon Ducks at Papè Field on Sunday. 

The win moves Colorado to 7-5-1 on the season and 3-4-1 in the Pac-12. The Buffs registered just two shots on goal, but only needed Barton's first of the season in the 64th minute to pick up the win. 

"I am proud of this group," head coach Danny Sanchez said after the win. "We had a disappointing result on Friday, but not necessarily disappointing performances. After a tough result late on Friday to turn around 11 a.m. PT on Sunday against a very good Oregon team on a five-game unbeaten streak is a great result for us on the road."

Hansen stopped all seven shots she faced from the Ducks, picking up her fifth shutout of the season. UO (5-4-4, 3-3-2 Pac-12) outshot the Buffs 17-10 on the afternoon and held an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. 

"We didn't create a ton of chances, but I thought our ball movement in the midfield was better," Sanchez noted. "I thought we're still a little impatient when we got into the final third but got a great goal from Tessa. After that, we were defending, which we expect to do at the point. I'm pleased to get the goal. It's like a broken record by now, but it's tough to score in this league."

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Ducks did a good job of keeping the Buffs at a distance early on, limiting CU's chances to outside the penalty area. 

The offensive combination of Barton and Shanade Hopcroft accounted for the Buffs' first three shots. Barton registered CU's opening opportunity 12th minute, going wide of the net. 

Oregon almost broke through in the 27th minute. A Hansen save led to an Oregon corner kick. The Ducks got the ball in the penalty box and Chardonnay Curran hit a one-timer from the dot that caught the crossbar and was corralled by Hansen on the rebound. Hansen made three saves in the first 45 minutes. 

CU didn't pick up a shot on net in the first half but did get a quality opportunity from Kyla Ferry right before the close of the half. The ball was played straight up into the air off a CU throw-in and Ferry met it at the far  top corner of the goal box, sending her chance wide of the opposite post. 

Hansen had to make her fourth save of the day right off the bat in the second half, denying Zoe Hasenauer in the 46th minute. 

The Buffs began to build moment, resulting in a run from Haileigh Adams in the 52nd minute. The defender crossed midfield and ran along the left sideline, before perfectly feeding Libby Geraghty in the center of the box. Geraghty's shot hit high off her foot and went high over an open net from seven yards out. 

"I was really pleased with what Haileigh Adams did today," Sanchez continued. "She was dealing with their wide players and really eliminated the crosses. I thought she had a great performance today for us."

Colorado kept the Ducks on its heels and got the payoff in the 64th minute. Hopcroft made a run down the middle of the field and looked to pass it off into the box. Her pass deflected off an Oregon defender and right to Geraghty who fed Barton in the middle of the penalty area. Barton ripped a shot that hit off a UO defender and redirected past Oregon's Leah Freeman. 

"I thought her [Barton] movement today was very good," Sanchez explained. "Obviously, scoring the goal, but like I said it's tough to get goals in this league and she had one great chance and buried it. We're proud of her for sticking to it, finding that goal and working hard for us today."

The Buffs weren't credited with a shot the rest of the match and Hansen made two more saves to secure the result.    

BY THE NUMBERS 
Colorado
Goals: 1
Shots: 10
Fouls: 5
Saves: 7

Oregon
Goals: 0
Shots: 17
Fouls: 12
Saves: 1

UP NEXT: The Buffs will be at for the remainder of the regular season. CU's final stretch starts when Arizona comes to town on April 9. 

NOTES: Barton's goal ended a 336:36 scoreless streak for Colorado…the goal was her first points of the season…Geraghty's assist was her first of the year, giving her three points (1 G, 1 A)…19 different players played in the field for CU…sophomore Jade Babcock-Chi returned after missing last five matches…Hansen now has 71 saves on the season and improves her saver percentage to .866.