Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
10-7-2
Missouri (Quarterfinal)
11-7-2
Soccer Upsets Missouri 1-0
November 07, 2002 | Soccer
"Obviously our first win here is great," said senior Aimee Bugay on her third trip, and first win, in the postseason. "I just feel like we're carrying on that high tide that we've been riding. It feels good to be one of the top-four teams left in the Big 12. We've been through a lot in our time here (at CU). It feels good to be getting something out of it.
Colorado's win, combined with top-seeded Texas A&M's 5-0 blanking of Oklahoma State in the tournament's first game, sets up a Buffs/Aggies semifinal match here Friday at 6:30 p.m. (MST), as the tournament's highest remaining seed after quarterfinals play is awarded the later semifinal match. Earlier this season, the Buffs dropped a 2-0 decision to then-No. 8 A&M in Boulder.
"The assistant coaches watched the A&M/Oklahoma State game and when we get back to the hotel, we'll come up with a game plan," said head coach Bill Hempen.
"They're a really, really, really good team," said Munnelly on Texas A&M. "We have to come out hard and scrappy. It will be a fun, good game."
Colorado controlled the field, and the game, early with seven shots (three on goal) to Missouri's one in the first 25 minutes of the game. While Fran Munnelly (2), Ellen Falender, Alyssa Burgess and Jen Thais (2) all had ways of getting through the Missouri defense, CU's best chance early on was a broken up play between Tiffany Booth and Kristina Lamberty which ended up in the hands of second-team All-Big 12 pick Aimee Bugay whose opportunity just off the right post would ultimately be stopped by Tiger goalkeeper Stephanie Krawczyk in the 17th minute.
The Buffs would maintain that pace the remainder of the first half and get one more shot off by Meghan Swanzy, a bullet straight through the penalty box, while holding Missouri to just one more shot in the opening half, and would ultimately outshoot Missouri 8-2 forcing Krawczyk to make four saves, but would have to settle for a scoreless tie at the halftime break.
Missouri would suffer a lineup change in the 47th minute when Adriene Davis received her second caution of the game and was ejected after a flagrant foul on CU's Aimee Bugay.
The Buffs would capitalize on the man-up advantage five minutes later when Big 12 Rookie of the Year Fran Munnelly drilled a pass from Jen Thais from 30 yards out into the low left corner of the net for the 1-0 advantage. The goal was Munnelly's team leading seventh of the season and is just one short of the single season school record of eight, set by both Suzy Kiefer (1999) and Melissa Cartmell (2000).
"Approaching the school record hasn't hit me yet. I felt really good going into the game," said Munnelly. "But you just can't play offense. Usually a good defensive game will allow the offense to come naturally."
Missouri nearly tied the game in the 81st minute when a Karen Bauer corner was punched out by CU keeper Sara Erskine and a follow-up header by Missy Peabody went wide. Two minutes later Missouri's Jennifer Nobis lost a game of 1 v. 1 with Bugay to set up another corner kick, which was initially controlled by Nobis, but taken and cleared by Munnelly in a strong defensive stance by the Buffs.
"Playing a man up isn't as easy as it would seem," explained Hempen. "Coaches take risks that you're not prepared for, but our kids communicated very well and got us through it. "
Aimee Bugay seconded Hempen's remarks, "It was pretty frantic back there. At that point we were just trying to clear the ball out while at the same time trying to play. At the end of the game they were playing four forwards and the stakes were higher the later the game got."
The Buffs would continue to hold off a Tiger attack that included a last-minute offensive barrage of three straight shots in the final 60 seconds, for their first win in conference tournament play.
"With all of the chaos that ensued, it was only natural that Missouri try every opportunity to score," said Hempen. "But we communicated so well that they never go that chance. We cleared chances that could have sent the game into overtime."
Team Stats
Munnelly,Fran (7)
Assisted By: Thais,Jen
Fed from 30 yds out into the inside left
51:59
