Soccer Hands Drake 3-0 Shutout Loss

Friday, October 24

Des Moines, Iowa

6 p.m.

Colorado

Drake

Photo by: Tony Harman

October 24, 2008 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Allie Musso, Assistant SID

DES MOINES, Iowa - The University of Colorado women's soccer team battled through wet and cold conditions here Friday and handed Drake its first loss in seven games with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Bulldogs.

With the win, Colorado improves to 13-2-3 (6-1-2 Big 12), while the Bulldogs fall to 7-8-1.

"We played well today with kind of a makeshift lineup," said head coach Bill Hempen. "We played hard and played smart and that led to good results."

After getting shut out by Iowa State last weekend, the Buffs came out eager to score today from the minute that the game started. Nine minutes into the match, senior Gianna DeSaverio netted her eighth goal of the season to give CU the early lead. DeSaverio was on the receiving end of a Kate Russell cross that took a bounce past the defense and she was able to trap the ball and volley it past Drake goalkeeper, Kortney Arnold, to put the Buffs ahead 1-0.

"I think that I am playing much more comfortable this year," said DeSaverio. I know the girls better than last year and I've learned to read where they are going to play the ball and where my runs need to be, which has given me more opportunities to finish."

After the first goal, Colorado never looked back. In the 26th minute of the game,Drake committed a foul inside the box, awarding Colorado a penalty kick. Senior midfielder Nikki Keller stepped up to take the kick and Keller buried the ball in the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Colorado outplayed Drake offensively in the first half, outshooting the Bulldogs 7-1. The second half proved to be the same story as CU continued to maintain possession for a large majority of the final 45 minutes of play.

DeSaverio, who has proven to be an offensive spark this season for the Buffs, struck again in the 56th minute of the game. Russell sent a long ball towards the back post to fellow freshman Kelly Butler. Butler one-timed it to DeSaverio, who put the ball away for what would prove to be the final goal of the game.

"Gianna has been playing really well and very hard," said Hempen. "Her teammates are putting her in position to get more opportunities on goal and she has created a lot of them on her own as well."

Of Colorado's 18 shots in the game, the Buffs took 14 of them on goal, forcing Arnold to make 11 saves in the match and nine in the second half alone. CU's senior goalkeeper, Kirstin Radlinski was only forced to make two saves in the game as she notched her fifth shutout of the season.

"The defense did a great job today," said Radlinski. "They played with such composure which allowed them to pass the ball around their forwards to make them tired. Once we started keeping the ball moving and incorporate creativity, it allowed for very few chances for their forwards.

"Today was definitely a big pick-up from last weekend, and a confidence booster going into the game on Sunday. If we continue to play confident and keep the ball moving, while creating opportunities as opposed to forcing passes to try and score, we will have a good chance to end the regular season on a positive note."

The Buffs will wrap up the regular season and celebrate senior day, honoring Amber Bettenhausen, Alex Cousins, Gianna DeSaverio, Nikki Keller, Kirstin Radlinski and Michelle Wenino on Sunday, Oct. 26 against No. 14 Texas A&M at 1 p.m. at Prentup Field. Admission and parking are free.

"Going into Sunday we realize that there isn't a whole lot more that we can do," said Hempen. "We know what's at stake. It's that time of year and we are looking forward to getting home and playing in front of our home crowd and playing a good game."

"Now it's time to rest up and get ready for Sunday," said DeSaverio. "We are all really excited to play A&M and as a senior, it might be my last chance to beat them so I am definitely looking forward to it."