Colorado Ties No. 25 Baylor 1-1

Sunday, October 24

Boulder, Colo.

TBA

Colorado

11-7-1, 4-5-1Big 12

Baylor

12-5-1, 5-2-1Big 12

OT 3

OT 4

Baylor

Colorado

October 24, 1999 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Lindsay Lew, Assistant Director

BOULDER -- The University of Colorado women's soccer team (11-7-1, 4-5-1 Big 12) tied Baylor University (12-7-1, 5-2-1 Big 12) by a score of 1-1 here Sunday afternoon. The tie assures Colorado of a bid to the 1999 Big 12 Postseason Tournament.

Head coach Austin Daniels was very happy with his team's performance Sunday. "We are set to get into the Big 12 Tournament. I think we played really well, but unfortunately we didn't finish our chances. I think this could have been one of our best games ever. We created chances, and all in all, the players played outstanding."

Sophomore forward Suzy Kiefer got things started for Colorado when she took a pass from senior forward Shawn Kenyon and rocketed a shot past Bay !or goalkeeper Dawn Greathouse at the 13: 17 mark. The goal was Kiefer's seventh of the season, tying the record for goals in a season set by junior forward/midfielder Melissa Cartmell earlier this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Bassett made two saves in the first half, while Greathouse pulled in only one. CU edged BU in shots with seven to the Bears' four.

Baylor came out of the half firing, and their effort paid off when senior Courtney Saunders beat two Buff defenders inside the 18 and scored the game-tying goal at the 55:24 mark of the match. The two teams played a physical half, with Baylor taking five fouls to the Buffs' three. The teams were even in the shot column, both getting off eight in the second half.

Overtime was thrilling, as both teams had great opportunities in front of the net, but were unable to convert. Colorado's Heather Zonker, Cartmell and Meghan Swanzy all had quality chances to score, but could not put the ball in the net. CU outshot Baylor 4-2 in the first overtime.

The second overtime just as exciting as the first as the teams played an even 15 minutes, with two shots and two saves apiece. However, just after time expired, Baylor's Rachel Kacsmaryk blasted a shot from the edge of the 18, which went in the bottom left comer of the net. The referee disallowed the goal, saying Kacsmaryk did not strike the ball until after the final horn had sounded. Baylor's Dawn Greathouse and Alexia Davis were cautioned after the game for dissent after arguing the call.

"We are totally ready to go to Big 12's," said Kiefer, Colorado's second leading scorer in 1999. "We didn't go last year, so this was a huge game for us. I thought it was such a fun game to play, and it got me very excited to go back to San Antonio."

In all, Colorado outshot Baylor 21- 16, and Bassett pulled in nine saves to Greathouse's five in one of her better performances of the season. Kenyon led Colorado with six shots, followed by Kiefer with five and Zonker with four. Senior Nikki Hales led Baylor with five shots, followed by Saunders with four.

Prior to the game, Daniels and the CU team honored seniors Kenyon and Linda Wikstrom. Kenyon is the first player in CU history to letter four times and complete all four years of her collegiate eligibility at Colorado. "I'm excited we are going to Big 12's," said Kenyon, the Buffalo captain. "It's a great way to go out, because I'm not done playing today. This day was really very emotional. I'm simply overwhelmed. I'm just glad I have more games to play."

The Buffs wrap up the 1999 regular season with their best ever record, 11-7-1, and an astounding 9-1-1 mark on their home field, also a program record. Next up for Colorado is the Big 12 Championships from Nov. 3-6 in San Antonio, Texas, however their seed is undecided as not all teams have concluded their Big 12 schedule. The final seeding will not be known until after Iowa State and Nebraska play on Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 p.m. CDT in Lincoln, and Baylor and Texas Tech play on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7:00 p.m. CDT in Waco. All four of those teams are assured bids in the tournament.