Buffs Get Back on Track
BOULDER – Senior Hannah Sharts got the scoring started and sophomore Shyra James added a second goal, propelling Colorado to a 2-0 win over Stony Brook at Prentup Field on Sunday.
The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the Buffaloes, improving to 3-2-0 on the season. The Seawolves fall to 1-3-1.
The Buffs' second-half offense was the difference on the day. Colorado had four shots on goal in the final 45 minutes and totaled 11 of the team's 18 shots in the final half. CU's defense was solid throughout the day, holding Stony Brook to just three shots.
"Give credit to Stony Brook," head coach Danny Sanchez stated after the win. "After having a tough game on the road on Thursday and having to travel here I thought they performed very well. You can see why they are the favorite in their conference. As for us, I thought the second half we played very well. We scored a couple of goals, maybe unfortunate to not get a couple more. We talked about wanting to get 20 shots in the game and we 18. I thought we were dangerous when we got forward."
Junior Dani Hansen stopped both shots she faced, recording her second shutout of the season.
"We saw today as a fresh start," Sharts noted. "When we didn't get a goal in the first half, we knew we weren't doing our jobs. We knew we had to come out strong and they traveled from New York, so we knew the altitude was going to be hard for them after all the travel. We made it a point to go hard in the first t20 minutes of the second half and go at them hard."
How It Happened
Sharts's goal came in the opening moments of the second half. Colorado earned a corner kick in the 50th minute and capitalized on the opportunity. Senior Shanade Hopcroft fed the ball to the back post where Sharts was there for the header. The ball bounced out of the net after hitting a Stony Brook defender, who was ruled in the net by the official.
"I just really believe that I'm going to score every time I go up there," Sharts added. "That's kind of the mentality that I have. I know that my size is an advantage, but I think I'm just hungry to score. Even if I'm being double teamed. I'll do anything I can."
The Buffs almost got a 2-0 lead minutes later. Junior Tessa Barton fired a shot that was deflected off the crossbar by Stony Brook keeper Emerson Richmond Burke. Junior Alli Palangi was there for the rebound trying to volley the ball with her back to the wide-open net, putting the attempt high.
CU's second goal came in the 73rd minute, from the same corner as the opener. Junior Hailey Stodden raced the ball down to the endline, centering it back to the middle of the field where James beat two defenders in the air, finishing with a header into the net.
The Buffs recorded shots on goal in the first half with CU's best chance coming in the 11th minute. Hopcroft put a touch in for Palangi along the right side of the net. Palangi kept the ball on the ground and almost got it to slip through the Stony Brook keeper's legs.
Senior Kayleigh Webb tried a shot from 25 yards out in the 11th minute, trying to beat Richmond Burke, who came aggressively out of the net on multiple occasions. The shot looked good off the foot but sailed high just over the crossbar.
Up Next
The Buffs will be back in action next Thursday, hosting Cal State Fullerton at 4 p.m.
Notes: Stodden's assist to James was her first career point as a Buff…James now leads the team in goals (3) and points (6)…Palangi's assist tied her with Rachel Rosen for the team lead with 2…12 different Buffaloes have recorded a point this season, matching all of last year…Four of CU's seven goals this season have come off set pieces (three corner kicks)…Colorado is now 7-1-0 all-time when James scores and 5-1-0 when Sharts gets on the board.