Soccer Blanks Oklahoma 5-0

Friday, September 26

Boulder, Colo.

4 p.m.

Colorado

8-1-1, 2-0-0Big 12

Oklahoma

1-8-0, 0-1-0Big 12

Oklahoma

Colorado

Photo by: Tony Harman

September 26, 2008 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Allie Musso, Assistant SID

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team remains undefeated in Big 12 play and won its eighth-straight game, topping the University of Oklahoma by a score of 5-0 here Friday afternoon.

"Our players did a great job today," said associate head coach Paul Hogan. "Alex (Cousins) was tremendous today. I thought she moved the ball quite well and the more we do that as a team, the better that we are. We have great team chemistry this year and we have continued to show that."

The Buffaloes (8-1-1, 2-0 Big 12) would test the Oklahoma (1-8-0, 0-1 Big 12) defense early in the match as freshman midfielder Kate Russell found herself unmarked on the right wing with the ball just 12 minutes into the game. Russell took her time and sent a cross to senior forward Gianna DeSaverio in the middle of the Sooner box. DeSaverio deflected the ball off of her body and into the goal for the 1-0 CU lead.

Less than two minutes later, the Buffs would strike again as freshman defender Caroline Danneberg stepped up and intercepted a Sooner pass and sent it back to DeSaverio in the Oklahoma goal box. DeSaverio took one touch around the diving Sooner goalkeeper and sent a left-footed shot across the goal and into the back of the net, putting Colorado up 2-0 over Oklahoma.

"It was nice to score and finish our opportunities today," said DeSaverio. "[My first goal] wasn't the nicest goal, but whatever goes in works. It's important to score goals and be consistent. It helps us build confidence in finishing and especially helps going into a big game."

DeSaverio's two-goal effort marks the first time in her career that she has scored multiple goals in a single game. Her four points on the day makes her Colorado's second-leading scorer this season with four goals and one assist for nine points.

The Buffs showed no signs of letting up in the second half as they took the 3-0 lead on a Kelly Butler goal in the 62nd minute of the game. Butler had possession from 20 yards out and she took a quick touch inside and around the Sooner defender and blasted a hard left-footed shot towards the front post, past the diving Sooner goalkeeper, for her third goal on the year.

Sophomore forward Mel Hicks scored her first goal of the season and gave CU the 4-0 lead with 10 minutes left to play. Russell set up her second cross for an assist in the match as she sent a ball high and into the middle of the box. Hicks, unmarked in the center, headed the ball into the back of the net for her second career goal.

CU continued its scoring frenzy when freshman Kelci Newlin sent a ball down the field once again to Hicks. Hicks trapped the ball with her thigh, turned on the Sooner defender and fired a shot in the goal putting Colorado up 5-0.

"I feel relieved and it's really rewarding," said Hicks. "I have the most supportive teammates in the world. After I scored I looked over at our sidelines and they were more thrilled than I was. It's so exciting to be able to be a part of our success."

The Buffaloes' four-goal effort in the match marks the fourth time this season that CU has scored four or more goals in a game and it is just the second time in history that the Buffs have done so in a single season, with the last time coming in 2004.

Colorado finished the match dominating the stat sheet, outshooting the Sooners 27 to four.

"We look at every game the same and don't focus on any one team more than another," said Hogan. "We have another win on the score sheet which is good for our confidence and good for us going into Sunday against a very good Oklahoma State soccer team."

The Buffaloes will now face No. 12 Oklahoma State on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. at Prentup Field. As always, admission and parking to all Colorado soccer games is free. There will be an autograph session immediately following the game and all fans are encouraged participate.

"It's hard physically to play two games in a weekend, but it's most challenging to stay mentally focused," said Hicks. "Each team is different in the Big 12, so the biggest challenge is staying mentally prepared, especially after a big win."