Colorado Ties No. 4 Nebraska

Friday, October 26

Boulder, Colo.

TBA

Colorado

2-10-2, 0-6-2Big 12

Nebraska

12-3-1, 6-1-1Big 12

OT 1

OT 2

Nebraska

Colorado

October 26, 2001 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Colleen Reilly Krueger, Associate Director

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team (2-10-2/0-6-2) used their momentum coming off of last week's victory over Colorado College and the emotion of Senior Night to notch their first point ever against rival and fourth ranked University of Nebraska Cornhuskers ( 12-3-1 /6-1-1.) The contest ended in a 1-1 tie after two periods of overtime at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex here Friday.

The tie was the Buffs (2-10-2/0-6-2) best result against Nebraska since October 11, 1998 when they fell 1-0 in Lincoln. Colorado had not been able to score on the Huskers since September 5, 1997.

"This game was so much fun," said senior forward Suzy Kiefer on her last home game as a Buff. "I can't thank my team enough for making it such an incredible last game."

Nebraska dominated the first half, outscoring CU 8-2. Colorado was forced to substitute senior goalkeeper Whitney Peterson just four minutes into the game after she re-injured her bruised quad.

The Huskers lone goal came just before the halftime reprieve in the 41 st minute when Nebraska was awarded a penalty kick after Colorado goalkeeper Danielle Bassett was charged with a foul. Husker star forward and Hermann Trophy nominee Christine Latham was able to connect and score her 12 th goal of the year.

Following the halftime break, the Buffs took the pitch with a newfound spark. Colorado outplayed the Huskers, out shooting Nebraska 7-5 and taking and four corner kicks. Colorado's hard work paid off at 84:45 when junior Lindsay Galas chased down a long ball and beat sprawling Nebraska keeper Erin Miller one on one. Galas found the open right low post and passed the ball in.

"I don't even remember," said Galas on her second goal of the season. "I shot it, it went in. I was just so happy. We have been struggling. This proves that we can handle any team, even if we don't come up with the W's. Its an awesome feeling."

Neither team was able to score for the remainder of regulation time, thanks to a big save by Bassett on a very close Latham attempt. Bassett's four saves on the night were her best on the season, as she usually plays back-up to Peterson.

"I have never been so proud of any team in my life," said Bassett on her final game at Pleasant View. "I just expect everyone to play as hard as they can, and every surpassed my expectations tonight. This game made my season, my career."

The two overtime periods yielded many opportunities but no goals for either team despite Colorado's four overtime shots and Nebraska's six. Four minutes into the first overtime, Latham was able to get past an approaching Bassett and fire a shot that was deflected out of bounds by Colorado senior defender Kendall Pata. Colorado answered back with a breakaway by senior forward Jessica Wollow, who dished the ball off to a sprinting Galas. Galas's shot went just over the top of the goal.

Both of Colorado's overtime games this season have come against ranked teams. The Buffs tied a then eighth ranked Texas A&M squad 2-2 on September 30. Nebraska had not been forced into overtime since the 1999 campaign.

"We've been getting effort all year," said Colorado head coach Bill Hempen. "We deserved our result tonight. Nebraska is a tough, ranked, outstanding team. We fought them toe-to-toe. Both team played their butts off out there tonight."

The Buffs have little time to think about this afternoon's tie as Colorado plays at Iowa State (4-8-2 / 2-4-2) Sunday in a noon (MST) kickoff in Ames. The Cyclones are coming off a 4-1 victory over Texas Tech today. Colorado's roadswing continues when they close out the 2001 campaign Friday, Nov. 2 at Texas Tech.