Soccer Blanks Air Force 3-0 In Final Exhibition

Friday, August 22

USAFA, Colo.

7:00 p.m.

Colorado

Air Force (Exhibition)

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

August 23, 2003 | Soccer

By: CUBuffs.com

By Colleen Reilly Krueger
Associate Sports Information Director

USAFA, CO - The Colorado soccer team wrapped up its 2003 preseason camp with a 3-0 blanking of the Air Force Academy late Friday night. With the win, the Buffs improved to 2-0 in exhibition play, outscoring opponents 7-0 during the exhibition season.

Just like they had done against Northern Colorado two days earlier, the Buffs got their scoring from three different players in three different situations.

Sophomore preseason All-Big 12 pick Fran Munnelly, who sat out of CU's first exhibition contest with a sore iliotibial band, put the Buffs on the scoreboard in the 37th minute with a 15-yard shot from the top right corner of the box. Colorado would go into the halftime break with the slim 1-0 lead, while bettering the Falcons in shots (8-7).

But unlike their win over UNC, the Buffs stifled Air Force in the second half, outshooting the Falcons 15-2 in the second stanza, taking three corners while forcing USAFA keeper J.J. Wolf to make six saves while scoring on her twice.

In the 59th minute Harvard transfer Orly Ripmaster gave CU a 2-0 cushion on a header off a corner kick from Kathryn Grandinetti, who picked up her third assist of the exhibition season. Five minutes later Colorado sealed the win when Tricia Regan put back a rebound from Wolf from a free kick.

With the 2003 preseason in the books, Colorado can put its efforts towards the season opener, Friday, Aug. 29 against defending national champion Portland in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Boulder's Pleasant View Soccer Complex. Parking and admission are free.