SOCCER SHUTS OUT EASTERN MICHIGAN 4-0

Saturday, September 4

Denver, Colo.

11:00 AM

Colorado

2-1-1

Eastern Michigan

3-1-0

Eastern Michigan

Colorado

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

September 04, 2004 | Soccer

Box Score

By: CUBuffs.com

DENVER - The 23rd ranked University of Colorado soccer team netted three unanswered goals in the opening half en route to handing Eastern Michigan its first loss of the season, a 4-0 blanking in the programs' first-ever meeting in the Denver Soccer Classic at the University of Denver's Pioneer Field here Saturday morning.

"They played with passion...something we did all last year," said head coach Bill Hempen. "I think the loss on Thursday got their attention, and the way we trained yesterday, I knew they would play well today."

With Jen Thais returning to the starting lineup for the first time this season, Colorado used its fourth starting combination in as many games. Her return proved to be magic early on for the Buffs as on their first offensive possession, Fran Munnelly's shot on goal from the left elbow just five minutes into the match was punched over the net and out of bounds by Eastern Michigan keeper Courtney Ward, setting up CU's first corner. Ellen Falender's corner kick 40 seconds later was cleared by the EMU defense, but intercepted by Thais near the top of the box who put the ball in the lower left corner for her first score of the season and CU's second score off a corner kick situation this year.

"It was great for her to get back into it today. I know it meant a lot and she did awesome in the middle of the park, and get the game winning goal. Then she got her customary crossbar," laughed Hempen on the ensuing play.

Thais nearly made it a 2-0 contest when she took a Kathryn Grandinetti serve in the 29th minute and her shot nailed the crossbar. Munnelly did make it a two-goal game when she took a pass from Ashlie Mihalcin 68 seconds later and left-footed it over Ward's head into the upper right corner from 30 yards out. As the 33rd minute of play approached, freshman Allison Kidd, who had entered the game less than two minutes earlier, netted her first career goal when a rebounded ball of Ward fell right to Kidd who one-time it past Ward for the score.

"It feels good to be back in it. It was a fun game and the team played really well. Our attitude and playing for each other as opposed to with each other was the difference today. And losing on Thursday was a real reality check for us. Today is what we have the potential to be," said Thais.

The Buffs' three scores in the half was just one shy of the school record set last season in the second half against Minnesota. Unlike Thursday's match against San Diego, Colorado dominated the field from the opening kickoff and halfway through the opening stanza had out shot the Eagles 6-0, forcing Ward to make four saves. By the halftime intermission, the domination had continued with 9 shots to EMU's one and corners (4-0) and CU keeper Jessica Keller being forced to make just one save to Ward's four.

Colorado's offensive reign on the match continued in the second half when Katie Griffin served Munnelly from across the pitch who was alone in the box with Ward and challenged her to a casual game of one-v-one before netting her second goal of the game in the 63rd minute, giving Munnelly her third career multiple-goal game.

EMU's Trisha Roberts' attempt in the 68th minute to prevent the shutout failed when she worked her way through the CU defense and into the box only to have the ball picked up by Keller and the CU attack continued immediately when Shannon Kellogg's header met up with Ward jumping for the save. The ball fell loose between the two and was cleared by the Eagle's Emily Hunt.

With the four-goal advantage, Hempen cleared the bench in the 84th minute, using all but one eligible and uninjured player in the match.

"It meant a lot for those kids to get some time. They've been practicing and running fitness. They earned their time...and they'll need to earn it the next game too."

In their most dominant game on the field and on paper, CU outshot Eastern Michigan 16-2, forced five corners and forced Ward into seven saves to Keller's two.

Colorado's longest regular season stretch away from Boulder, four games, continues next weekend when they take on a pair of 2003 NCAA Tournament teams at the Wake Forest/Adidas Invitational in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Buffs will take on host Wake Forest Friday in a 5:30 p.m. (MT) kickoff under the lights and will play Utah on Sunday at 10 a.m. Colorado returns to Boulder when it hosts the third annual Colorado Soccer Classic Sept. 17 & 19.

"I feel a lot better going into next weekend than I did two days ago," concluded Hempen.