SOCCER HOLDS OFF OK-STATE FOR 1-0 WIN

Sunday, October 19

Boulder, Colo.

1:00 p.m.

Colorado

13-1-1, 6-0-1Big 12

Oklahoma State

11-3-2, 3-3-2Big 12

Oklahoma State

Colorado

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

October 19, 2003 | Soccer

Box Score

By: CUBuffs.com

BOULDER - Freshman midfielder Maddy Minnis scored her first gamewinner in the 29th minute as the 12th-ranked Colorado soccer team fought handed Oklahoma State 1-0 loss, their third straight, at the Pleasant View Soccer Complex here Sunday.

"We did what it took to win. I give a lot of credit to Oklahoma State. They fought hard. We knew going in that they were going to do everything they could possible to fend off a third-straight loss and as hard as it was we didn't back down," said Head Coach Bill Hempen.

With the win, Colorado remains unbeaten in the conference at 6-0-1 and 13-1-1 overall while Oklahoma States falls to 11-3-2 overall and 3-3-2 in Big 12 play. With two upsets in league play Sunday (Missouri's 5-4 overtime win against A&M and Kansas' 1-0 shutout at Nebraska) the Buffs, with 19 points, are four ahead of both Nebraska (15) and Texas (15) and five ahead of fourth-ranked Texas A&M (14). The irony in the battle for the regular season title is that Colorado, Nebraska, Texas and A&M all have each other remaining in the last three games of their respective schedules.

On paper, CU's 15 shots to Oklahoma State's three would look as if it were a one-sided game, however, it was a consistent fight for 90 minutes as both teams had their chances to dominate and struggled to be the first to make something happen.

Cowgirl keeper Kathrin Lehman was caught in a scramble for the ball just outside of the goal line and CU's Orly Ripmaster attempted to recover the ball and was caught in a collision with Lehman, forcing her to draw a yellow card. Continuing to pressure the Oklahoma State defense just three minutes later, Ripmaster sent a bullet across the goal to Kathryn Grandinetti as she one-timed it just wide of the right post.

It would be Minnis that would give the Buffs the 1-0 lead when Grandinetti slid in the middle of Oklahoma State defense and fed her a pass that she one-timed past Lehman in the bottom left corner of the goal.

"Being able to win that game was such a big deal. It hopefully will get us into the top 10. I had no idea (that this kind of success) would happen so fast as a freshman," said Minnis.

Looking to tie the game in the final minutes of the first half, OSU's Jere Boykin hit a high shot on goal from 10 yards out that was taken away by CU keeper Jessica Keller for her first of two saves in the game. Quickly changing the momentum the Buffs capitalized on the lack of Oklahoma State defenders hoping to make it a 2-0 game as Fran Munnelly broke through the back and found Ellen Falender who split two defenders and pulled off the shot that was saved by Lehman to end the half.

CU keeper Jessica Keller was able to maintain composure in the closing minutes as Oklahoma State stepped up its pressure forcing two Colorado fouls and trying to capitalize on offensive opportunities as the clock wound down. "I was calmer than I thought I'd be. We played them hard and pressured them on the outside so that they didn't get many balls across. As a defense we were just making sure that we stayed strong, smart and on the same page, reiterating what we have been doing all season."

Bill Hempen agreed, "Our defense just stopped everything. They were rock solid and didn't allow Oklahoma State any chances." With such a dominant defense the Buffs have extended their school record of shutouts with nine.

Colorado will close out the regular season with two of its last three games of the season being decided away from Boulder. The Buffs will play at Texas Friday night in Austin before battling fourth-ranked Texas A&M on Sunday in College Station. The regular season finale will return to Boulder on Halloween Day, October 31 when Hempen and Co. take on No. 14 Nebraska at north Boulder's Pleasant View Soccer Complex.

As the season is winding down coach Bill Hempen is ready for the trip. "We've never beaten either of those teams before but we're in a no lose situation against two of the best teams in the country. On paper, Texas may look down this year but they have unbelievable players and they've played everyone in the country. It will be an interesting trip. It's so hard to win on the road especially when you're playing the top teams in the league."