Buffaloes Down Pioneers 2-1 To Earn Local Bragging Rights

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team (8-3-0, 1-1-0 Big 12) defeated the University of Denver (5-4-1) by a final score of 1-0 Wednesday afternoon. The Buffalo winning streak continues, as this is CU's fifth consecutive win, and the Buffs are now 7-0 at home in 1999.

This win officially gives CU the "bragging rights" as the number one women's collegiate soccer team in Colorado this season. To earn these rights, the Buffs defeated Colorado College 1-0, Air Force 2-0 and Denver 1-0 today. The instate sweep has been thanks in part to stellar performances from sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Bassett, who shut out all three teams.

"Obviously, we are very happy with this result," said head coach Austin Daniels. "DU is a very good team and battled us to the very end. I think they put a great deal of pressure on us at the end, and we were able to maintain our composure and win the game. It is nice to win all three games against the in-state teams. We want to be the dominant program in the state, because all four of our programs are strong. It is fun for the players to get to play so many people they have played with in school and club because of the number of in-state players on each team."

Although both teams were held scoreless at the half, the first 45 minutes were anything but uneventful. Freshman midfielder Meghan Swanzy had an excellent scoring opportunity from 35 yards out, when the sailing ball hit the crossbar and bounced over the net. DU's keeper Erica Izard made one save while Bassett made two saves on nine and five shots respectively. The Buffs limited Denver to just one corner kick in the first half while taking three themselves.

The second half was even more intense than the first. Sophomore forward Suzy Kiefer started the scoring opportunities rolling as she lofted a ball from 15 yards out. Kiefer was stopped as a diving Izard made an excellent save. However, Izard couldn't stop sophomore midfielder Heather Zonker at the 58-minute mark. Freshman midfielder Tiffany Booth dribbled the ball up midfield and battled DU's defense for possession. She knocked a short pass to Zonker who poked it in from the right side past Izard. This marks Zonker's third goal of the season and her second game winner. Zonker has had two goals in as many games.

"The ball got cleared to the side and Tiffany just hustled to it," said Zonker. "It was a scrappy goal. I just hustled to it and hoped to get a touch on it. This game was very intense. The next games are crucial to get us going in our Big 12 play."

Colorado outshot the Pioneers 18-13 and Bassett made seven saves on the day to keep the score 1-0. Both teams were playing hard and not afraid to get physical as the fouls totaled 14 for the Buffs and eight for DU.

The Buffs continue their play in the Big 12 when they travel to Oklahoma on Friday, Oct. 1 to take on Oklahoma at 5:00 p.m. MDT and will face Oklahoma State Sunday, Oct. 3 at noon MDT. Colorado then returns home to take on Big 12 rivals Iowa State Friday, Oct. 8 at 4:00 p.m. and Nebraska on Sunday, Oct. 10 at I :00 p.m. All home games are held at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex and are free to the public.

Buffaloes Down Pioneers 2-1 To Earn Local Bragging Rights

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Team Stats

Heather Zonker

Tiffany Booth

Melissa Cartmell

Suzy Kiefer

Players Mentioned

Danielle Bassett

Tiffany Booth

Suzy Kiefer

Meghan Swanzy

Heather Zonker

Players Mentioned

Danielle Bassett

Tiffany Booth

Suzy Kiefer

Meghan Swanzy

Heather Zonker