Soccer Blanks Gonzaga 1-0

Friday, September 19

Boulder, Colo.

4 p.m.

Colorado

6-1-1

Gonzaga

4-4-0

Gonzaga

Colorado

Photo by: Boulder Daily Camera

September 19, 2008 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Aaron Lopez, Denver Nuggets

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team edged the Gonzaga Bulldogs 1-0 in the final minutes of its first match in the seventh annual Colorado Soccer Classic presented by Qdoba Mexican Grill here Friday.

The Buffaloes extend their win streak to six games and improve to 6-1-1, 1-0 Big 12 on the season, while Gonzaga falls to 4-4-0.

"Gonzaga's constant mantra was to get behind the ball," said head coach Bill Hempen. "It was tough for us to get through eleven defensive players but we were fortunate to get one through and to have a chance to finish it and get the goal."

In the first half, both teams were unable to find the back of the net as Colorado outshot the Bulldogs nine to five and the Buffs recorded just two shots on goal.

After 40 more scoreless minutes in the second half, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week Nikki Marshall would break open the game and give CU the 1-0 win. Freshman midfielder Kate Russell spotted Marshall sprinting up the field and sent a ball down the center to her feet. Marshall, pressured closely by a Gonzaga defender from behind, pulled off a great first touch to turn around the Bulldog defender and blast a left-footed shot into the lower right side of the net for the late lead.

"Gianna (DeSaverio) made a great first run with the ball, dragging the defense to her," said Marshall. "I was following in behind her. The ball went to Kate Russell, who saw me. I happened to get a good touch on the ball, hit it quickly and caught the goalie off guard for the goal. It is good to have this result in a tough game. I'm glad we came out ahead."

Marshall's goal proved to be the game-winner for CU and she is now tied for first with the most career game-winners scored, joining former Buff Katie Griffin with 13. Marshall is now the second all-time leading goal scorer with 31 career goals, just one shy of Griffin's four-year record of 32.

"Gonzaga played really well defensively," said Russell. "They had a lot of girls in the back and it was a lot harder to get behind them. We didn't want to go to overtime. We were able to put one away and that was good."

Colorado significantly stepped up the offensive pressure in the second half as they finished the match outshooting Gonzaga 21-8. The Buffs recorded seven shots on goal and shut down the Bulldog chances, limiting them to zero shots on goal.

In the first game of the tournament, Denver took on Fresno State at 2 p.m. The game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation and the Pioneers took the win in overtime on a penalty kick. Denver will now look for its second win of the weekend as they face Gonzaga at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Colorado will conclude the tournament at Prentup field on Sunday, taking on Fresno State at 2 p.m., immediately following the Denver vs. Gonzaga game. Admission and parking are free.