CU WOMEN'S SOCCER DROPS 1-0 DECISION TO ARIZONA STATE

Friday, August 29

Boulder, Colo.

TBA

Colorado

0-1-0

Arizona State

1-0-0

Arizona State

Colorado

CU WOMEN'S SOCCER DROPS 1-0 DECISION TO ARIZONA STATE

August 29, 1997 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Ollie Kirkpatrick, Assistant Director

BOULDER, Colo. - The University of Colorado women's soccer team lost its season opener Friday afternoon, dropping a 1-0 decision to Arizona State at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex in North Boulder.

Midfielder Antoinette Marjanovic scored the game's lone goal for the Sun Devils 19 minutes into the game on an assist from Sarah Blaska, knocking the ball just out of the reach of the outstretched fingertips of Colorado keeper Nina Bjornstad. Bjornstad, however, had far from a bad day, as she recorded 12 saves and allowed just the single score.

"It wasn't so much a matter of our offense struggling as it was getting beat to the ball," CU head coach Austin Daniels said. "When we had the ball and had possession, we were able to get at them. We just didn't get to the ball enough."

All told, Colorado recorded 11 shots to Arizona State's 17. And first game jitters, Daniels said, couldn't take much of the blame.

"We were definitely a bit nervous," Daniels said, "but we've got to do a better job settling down.

"I think we can play a lot better. We did some good things for sure, but we need to put those things together better."

Offensively, Colorado was paced by freshman Andrea Matassa, who recorded a team-high three shots, and by senior Donna Holyman, sophomore Shawn Kenyon and freshman Melissa Cartmell, who registered two shots apiece.

Colorado will return to the playing field Monday for a 1 p.m. MDT contest against No. 17 Florida, the first of five games on the season for the Buffs against teams ranked in the NSCAA/Umbro preseason Top 20. Admission to the game, also to be played at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex, will be free.