Colorado Drops Big 12 Opener To Texas, 3-2

Friday, September 28

Boulder, Colo.

TBA

Colorado

1-5-0, 0-1-0Big 12

Texas

2-3-0, 1-0-0Big 12

Texas

Colorado

September 28, 2001 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Colleen Reilly Krueger, Associate Director

BOULDER - The University of Colorado soccer team held the lead for more than 25 minutes, but it wasn't long enough to pull off their first ever victory over the University of Texas Longhorns (2-3, 1-0 Big 12), which scored the game winner in the 69th minute of play, in front of 405 fans at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex here Friday. With the loss, the Buffs fall to 1-6, and .0-1 in the Big 12.

"They capitalized on our mistakes," said co-captain Whitney Peterson on the loss. "Coming into this game we've only had the lead for 51 seconds (Sept. 2nd at Wyoming) and so when we got the lead, I thought we sat back a little. Then we didn't match their effort in the second half. Playing against a good team those opportunities are going to beat you."

Despite being out shot by CU 14-11, Texas was the first to get on the scoreboard. UT freshman Kelly MacDonald, who graduated from Littleton's Chatfield High School last May, scored her first career goal when she slipped one past Buff goalkeeper Whitney Peterson.

Just under a minute later, Colorado answered back when freshman Danielle Bickley capitalized on a pass from junior Aimee Bugay in the 19th minute. "Before the game, I told myself I really wanted to score when I usually hope to just play well," said Bickley when asked about her first career goal. "I trapped the ball and hit it, not hard enough, but enough to cross the goal line."

The Buffs' received an additional spark when Colorado's best marking back, junior Tiffany Booth, made her return to the pitch after missing seven weeks. Booth had been recovering from a severe concussion she suffered while playing for her provincial team in Alberta, Canada. "I was excited, it felt good to be out there," said Booth on her return. "I felt strong, but a little rusty. I'm hoping my second game will be a bit better."

Her return was most noticeable just minutes into the second stanza when she stuffed a Longhorn shot on goal on the left post and continued to clear the attempt.

Colorado took control of the lead just before halftime when classmate, Aspen native Ellen Falender, followed up on a rebound from senior Jessica Wollow's shot. "Jessie shot the ball and the goalie got a piece of it," said Falender on the situation before her goal. "I just ran through it with my chest. I never expected to play one minute all season so I'm excited about scoring my first goal."

CU hung on to the lead until midway through the second half when Texas' Wilson scored her second goal of the game. The Longhorns never looked back, in spite of the Buffs' aggressive play and outstanding play from Peterson in goal whose two saves on 11 shots wasn't indicative of the level she played at today. Texas' Kelly McDonald scored the game winner three minutes later when freshman forward Kelly Wilson, who had assist on both of teammate McDonald's goals, fired a low volley just past diving Peterson.

All five goals of the contest were scored by freshmen, three of who (Bickley, Falender, and Texas' McDonald) notched their first ever career goals. It was Wilson's fourth goal on the season.

Colorado's Big 12 homestand continues Sunday when the Buffs host No. 9 Texas A&M in a 1 p.m. start. A&M was facing interstate rival Texas Tech, in Lubbock, at press time.