CU Falls 6-0 To No. 1 North Carolina

Friday, September 10

Chapel Hill, N.C.

TBA

Colorado

3-2-0

North Carolina

4-0-0

Colorado

North Carolina

September 10, 1999 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Lindsay Lew, Assistant Director

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of Colorado women's soccer team (3-2-0, 1-1-0 Big 12) fell victim to topranked North Carolina ( 4-0-0) here Friday night by a score of 6-0 in front of 3,382 fans in the first round of the Nike Carolina Classic at Fetzer Field.

"The reality in terms of how we played is that despite the 6-0 result, we played better than we did last year," said head coach Austin Daniels. "The difference between this year and last is that this time they did a better job of finishing their chances."

The Buffs were led by sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Bassett, who pulled in seven saves by the Tar Heels. The Buffs managed three shots to the Tar Heels 36, with CU's shots taken by junior defender Allison Gausman, sophomore midfielder Heather Zonker, and freshman Ashley Honig. Colorado scored first in the game on a header by Kendall Pata, but the goal was called back as Pata bumped Carolina keeper Kristin DePlatchett on the corner kick. DePlatchett had two saves in the game.

Carolina began the scoring in the 32nd minute when Anne Remy finished a rebound off a shot from senior Rebekah McDowell to lead 1-0. The Tar Heels notched their second goal with just three seconds to play in the half, when senior Helen Lawler headed in a ball from freshman Susan Bush.

The second half was more of the same, with freshman Kim Patrick tapping in a ball played across the goalmouth from senior Lindsay Stoecker in the 51 st minute. Junior midfielder Raven McDonald scored off a corner from McDowell in the 59th minute, and Jena Kluegel scored with 29 minutes to play off a cross from sophomore Anne Remy. Elizabeth Ball wrapped up the scoring in the 69th minute when she blasted a ball from 30 yards out which hit a divot, took a strange bounce and went just over the outstretched hand of Bassett.

"I think in the first half, we played like we have been training all week," said Bassett. "We played very well. But in the second half I think we had a bit of a letdown. However, I do not think the score reflects how hard we worked all game."

After Carolina's sixth goal, Sara Erskine replaced Bassett in goal in the 72nd minute. The freshman from Highlands Ranch, Colo. put in a stellar performance in her collegiate debut, facing six shots and saving three, including a spectacular punch on a driving shot from the edge of the box.

In earlier Nike Carolina Classic action, No. 20 Duke defeated No. 5 Penn State 2-1 at Fetzer. Colorado will face the Blue Devils at I :00 p.m. EDT, and North Carolina will face Penn State following the conclusion of that game. During the intermission North Carolina will honor former players Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow and others for their 1999 Women's World Cup Championship.

"I think we always try to play teams of this caliber," said Daniels. "This tournament is an excellent opportunity for us to play in the very best environment." The 3,386 fans in attendance was the largest crowd ever to witness Colorado play, topping last year's 3,000 mark when the Tar Heels visited Boulder to open the 1998 season, defeating CU 2-0.

Colorado returns home to face Alabama on Friday, Sept. 17 at 4:00 p.m. at Pleasant View Soccer Complex in Boulder. All home games are free.