Soccer Beats Iowa State 1-0

AMES, Iowa - The University of Colorado women's soccer team snapped a three game losing streak and beat Iowa State University by a score of 1-0 here on Sunday afternoon at the ISU Soccer Complex.

Freshman Nikki Marshall netted her team-high 10th goal of the season and Kirstin Radlinski earned her first solo shutout of the season with 10 saves to give the Buffs their second win in Big 12 play in 2006 and the 99th overall victory in school history. Colorado is now 8-5-2 on the season, 2-4-1 in the Big 12, while Iowa State falls to 6-11, 2-5 in the Big 12.

"We've been in the crud for so long that any fortuitous outcome is welcome to these kids," said CU head coach Bill Hempen. "I mean they have tried as hard as they can, but made inappropriate decisions at inappropriate times and it hasn't gone our way. The pressure right now is unbelievable and every mistake is magnified and we are living on the edge at the moment. It was a collective effort today and we played as hard as we could. It was a good result for us."

The first half saw the play swing first for the Cyclones as at one point they had six shots on goal to Colorado's one including two that hit the crossbar. But then the Buffs picked things up, evening the shot totals and giving them some momentum going into the second half. Starting goalkeeper Radlinski was up to the task, posting saves on all six ISU shots on goal in the half.

Colorado finally got on the board late in the second half thanks to hard work from junior Allison Kidd and solid finishing from Marshall. Allie True received a pass from Laura Munnelly and found Kidd over the top. Kidd got past her defender and took it to the ISU end line where she cut it back towards goal goal and sprinted towards the penalty box. She waited a split second for a CU player to get into the box for the cross, and once Marshall arrived she hit a firm pass on the ground and Marshall directed it into the right side of the net at the 74:55 mark.

"It was a hard game to finish because we were almost frantic that we were winning and there was a short amount of time left," said True. "We focused and came together as a team and played smart and held them off."

ISU nearly tied things up late in the game when Jess Villhauer hit the crossbar with just over seven minutes to play, but the Buffs were able to hang on for their fifth shutout of the season.

"They hit the crossbar three times today, and of course it was also Senior Day, of all the days we really needed a win," said Hempen. "Last weekend, those don't hit the crossbar and go out; they hit it and go in. So we were lucky to get this result, but our kids worked as hard as they could. Kirstin did good we needed a zero to win the game and she didn't necessarily have to make the great saves, but she made the saves she is supposed to make. She did a good job."

"It feels good because we've been working so hard and it's not that we've lost because of a lack of effort, but our work finally paid off and we put them away when the ball finally bounced our way," said True. "It feels really good; it feels very rewarding."

The goal was Marshall's third game-winner of the season, and she has now tied senior Katie Griffin for CU's freshman scoring record of 10 goals. Colorado now just needs one win to give the Buffs their 100th in school history as a program, but Hempen is more concerned with what one win will give them in terms of their postseason chances. The top eight teams qualify for the Big 12 Tournament and the Buffaloes are right on the cusp in eighth place but within striking distance of a higher spot if they can turn this one victory into a streak.

"Right now we are fighting for our postseason lives," said Hempen. "There is the cliche that you should play every game like it is your last, and for us, we really will have to play that way. Friday is our last game."

The Buffaloes will now return to Boulder for their final regular season home matches of the season. Katie Griffin, Laura Munnelly and Allie True will play their final games at Prentup Field starting Friday, Oct. 20 against Texas Tech at 3 p.m. They will then return for Senior Day on Sunday, Oct. 22 against Baylor at 1 p.m. Admission and parking at all Colorado soccer regular season home games is free of charge.

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Team Stats

Nikki Marshall

Allison Kidd

Megan Manthey

Laura Munnelly

Players Mentioned

Katie Griffin

Allison Kidd

Nikki Marshall

Laura Munnelly

Kirstin Radlinski

Allie True

Players Mentioned

Katie Griffin

Allison Kidd

Nikki Marshall

Laura Munnelly

Kirstin Radlinski

Allie True