Soccer Falls To Texas A&M 2-1 In Overtime

Sunday, October 26

Boulder, Colo.

1 p.m.

Colorado

12-3-3, 6-2-2Big 12

Texas A&M

13-3-1, 6-2-1Big 12

OT 2

Texas A&M

Colorado

Photo by: Tony Harman

October 26, 2008 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Allie Musso, Assistant SID

BOULDER - The No. 15 University of Colorado women's soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime battle to the No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies on Senior Day here Sunday.

With the loss, Colorado falls to 13-3-3 overall and 6-2-2 in the Big 12, while Texas A&M improves to 14-3-1 overall and 7-2-1 in Big 12 play.

"It was precarious," said head coach Bill Hempen. "It was going to be tough to hang on. Texas A&M kept loading the box and were pushing forward, so I knew it would be difficult to keep them out of the goal. I had a bad feeling as the clock went down, because they just kept fighting. They did a good job and kept at it, and that's a good trait that they have."

The Aggies got off to a quick and aggressive start as they recorded four corners and three shots in the first 20 minutes of game. The momentum switched, however, in the remaining 25 minutes of the half and CU was able to put the pressure on the Aggie defense. Colorado wrapped up the first half outshooting A&M six to four, with both goalkeepers only forced to record one save apiece.

Just over two minutes into the second half, CU freshman midfielder Kelly Butler carried a ball into the Aggie goal box, but she was immediately taken down by an A&M defender, which landed the Buffs a penalty kick. Senior Alex Cousins would step up to take the shot for the Buffaloes for her fourth attempt of the season. Cousins hit a hard shot past Texas A&M goalkeeper Kelly Dyer and gave Colorado the 1-0 lead in the 48th minute.

"I got up there and had a little bit of time to think. I looked at the crowd, my teammates, and then the goal. I knew I had to put it in, or I may never take another one again."

In the 62nd minute of the game, Texas A&M nearly tied it up when Rachel Shipley was left wide open at the top of the Colorado box and fired a shot toward the CU goal. Buff goalkeeper Kirstin Radlinski, however, was able to make a fully extended diving save to her left to deflect the ball out of play.

The Aggies proved that they had no intentions of giving up and with less than four minutes to play in the game, they would finally get on the board. After CU was charged with a foul, the Aggies were awarded a free kick from about 40 yards out. Rebecca Herrera sent a long ball to the front post and while Radlinski attempted to punch it away, Brianne Young flicked it into the back of the net with her head to equalize the game at 1-1.

Colorado would only have one more chance to score in the final minutes of the game and, unable to take back the lead, the game was sent into overtime.

Texas A&M came into the overtime period with what proved to be an extra spark over the Buffaloes. Radlinski was forced to make two quick saves in extra time before A&M would finally break through in the 94th minute of the game. Rachel Shipley, on the right side of the field, sent a high ball into the Colorado box and Beth West headed the ball in the back of the net for the 2-1 win.

The Aggies wrapped up the game outshooting the Buffs 16 to 13 and Radlinski recorded a season-high seven saves in the match. CU's Marshall led all Buffs offensively with four shots, one of which was on goal.

"Our team gave a lot of effort out here today," said Radlinski. "There was a lot of emotion and adrenaline. We came out a little nervous; A&M is a big rival, TV was here, and there were a lot of bugs in our stomach. It was just unlucky that we couldn't get more opportunities on their goal. The girls play hard, no matter what the circumstance. No one left anything out on the field today and I couldn't be more proud."

"Everyone was here to play today," said Cousins. "Even though we lost, I'm so proud of every one of our players. Each person is 100% unselfish and that's all you can ask for. We just want to end the season on something great. The players are here every day and our coaches do so much for us; so at the end of the day, I want to know that I played as hard as I could."

Colorado will now have over a week off before traveling to San Antonio, Texas for the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Blossom Soccer Complex. For more information, visit www.big12sports.com.