Soccer Advances to Second Round With Comeback Win Over Colorado College, 2-1

BOULDER - When the University of Colorado women's soccer team needed a goal the most, they turned to the most prolific goal scorer in school history. Senior captain Katie Griffin scored two second half goals to lead Colorado to a 2-1 win over Colorado College, advancing them to the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer tournament for the third year in a row.

Colorado College would get on the board first in the 19th minute with a Molly Uyenishi goal, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead over Colorado. Junior Jessica Beinlich took the corner kick and sent a perfect ball inside the box. Uyenishi extended above the Colorado defense and headed the ball into the top right corner of the goal.

"They defended everything outstanding," said head coach Bill Hempen on Colorado College. "They looked to counter attack a lot, they defended deep and stayed strong. They knew what they wanted to do and it was good enough to lead at halftime."

Despite out shooting Colorado College 11 to one, the Buffaloes could not find the back of the net in the first half, and Tigers' keeper Geneva Seals recorded four saves to keep Colorado scoreless after 45 minutes of play.

Colorado would shift the momentum of the game in the 61st minute as Katie Griffin took an Allison Kidd pass in the center of the goal about 15 yards out and put the ball away in the lower left corner to tie the game at 1-1. With her third goal on the season, Griffin tied former teammate Fran Munnelly with 30 career goals.

Just two and a half minutes later the duo would strike again, making Griffin the all-time leader in career goals scored with 31. Kidd dished off a pass to Griffin who crushed a high and long ball from 25 yards out that brushed the top of the crossbar and hit the back of the net, giving Colorado the 2-1 lead over Colorado College with under 27 minutes to play.

"I was saying, 'Don't shoot, don't shoot! Oh great shot!," said Hempen. "But she does it at practice and you have to hit it right. So she hit it right today."

The Buffaloes controlled all aspects of the game for the remainder of the match, capping off the 2-1 victory over the Tigers, winning their third straight NCAA Tournament first round match.

"I'm excited to play DU," said Griffin. "We know their style and know what to expect, so we should be able to play them well."

Colorado will host the University of Denver Pioneers at 12 noon on Sunday, in the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament at Prentup Field. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in the history of either program.

Today's come from behind win was CU's third of the year, joining the 2-1 win at Utah and the 3-2 double overtime against Texas A&M in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under, seniors, and students of CU and DU, and $1 for kids under five. Prentup Field is located at 33rd Street and Colorado Avenue. Parking at CU games is free.

Soccer Advances to Second Round With Comeback Win Over Colorado College, 2-1

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Team Stats

Katie Griffin

Allison Kidd

Nikki Keller

Allie True

Players Mentioned

Katie Griffin

Fran Munnelly

Players Mentioned

Katie Griffin

Fran Munnelly