Soccer Tops Texas Tech 2-0 On Senior Day

Friday, October 30

Boulder, Colo.

3 p.m.

Colorado

9-9-0, 6-4-0Big 12

Texas Tech

8-8-3, 3-4-3Big 12

Texas Tech

Colorado

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

October 30, 2009 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Aaron Lopez, Denver Nuggets

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team sent its seniors out on good note here Friday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Texas Tech in the Buffs final regular season game.

With the win, Colorado finishes the regular season 9-9-0 and 6-4-0 in the Big 12, while the Red Raiders fall to 8-8-3 overall and 3-4-3 in conference action.

"Any game in the Big 12 is going to be a tough win," said senior Nikki Marshall, who notched her 18th career game-winner in the match. "Texas Tech played a hard game but we came out and knew what we had to do. We played 90 minutes of hard soccer and fortunately we got a big win heading into the tournament."

Colorado tallied the first shot on goal of the game, when sophomore Kassidy Fitzpatrick took a Nikki Marshall pass inside the box and hit a shot from the left side that Texas Tech goalkeeper Colleen Pitts denied and sent back into play.

Texas Tech failed to get a shot on goal in the first half, but the Red Raiders did manage a pair of shots that hit the goal post and kept the Buffaloes' defense on their toes.

"We had to dodge a bullet mid-way through the first half when Texas Tech hit the post and continued to attack," added Hempen. "Normally on the road, a ball like that goes in, but I think we did the best thing we could do all day by not letting up a goal after they got close. Once we were clear of danger is when we really started to attack."

TTU just barely edged Colorado in shots in the first half with 11 to CU's 10.

After a scoreless first half, the Buffaloes wasted no time getting on the board when Marshall, one of six seniors recognized after today's contest, did what she does best in the 53rd minute of the match. Freshman Erin Bricker sent a pass to Marshall at the top of the box and Marshall got around the defender and placed her shot in the upper-left corner of the goal for the 1-0 CU lead.

The goal now gives Marshall 42 career goals, 93 points, and 18 game-winners, adding to all three of the CU career records that she holds.

"It was really exciting and amazing to be able to play with Nikki," said sister Shaye Marshall after the game. "It has helped us get closer and she has taught me a lot about the game. She is obviously a big reason I came to the University of Colorado and even though it is sad this is almost the end, I couldn't be happier I was able to play one year with my sister."

The Buffs would strike again in the 58th minute and this time Bricker would find the back of the net. Bricker took a pass from sophomore Kate Russell and took one touch around the TTU defense and also placed her shot perfectly in the inside of the left goal post.

"The best move we made today was putting Kate Russell in at outside-midfielder," said Hempen. "Kate opened up our game a lot and as soon as she switched positions we were getting excellent opportunities on crosses, through-balls and corners. She really helped us establish our offense in the second half."

The Red Raiders scrambled to get on the board any way they good in the remaining minutes of the match, but the Red Raiders offense proved to be no match for the CU defense. For the fifth time this season Colorado shutout its opponent at home and notched its seventh home victory of the season.

Texas Tech finished the game outshooting the Buffaloes 21 to 16, but Colorado put five shots on goal to TTU's two. Senior goalkeeper Kara Linder was forced to make only two saves in the match and tallied a personal-best sixth shutout of the year.

Fitzpatrick led all Buffaloes with five shots in the match and two on goal, while TTU's Taylor Lytle recorded a game-high seven shots, but just one on goal.

Colorado, who finished the regular season with an impressive 6-1 record at home, will hit the road next week when the team travels to San Antonio, Texas for the first round of the 2009 Big 12 Championships at the Blossom Soccer Complex on Wednesday, Nov. 4. For more information and who the Buffaloes will face following the remainder of tonight's conference games, visit www.Big12sports.com.

"This particular group of seniors has seen the Big 12 Finals twice now and they know what it takes and how much effort needs to go into every game," added Hempen. "We have gotten close in the last few years and I know all the girls are tired of being close. Getting the win today helps us carry some momentum into the tournament and with a memorable goal from Nikki Marshall I couldn't feel better about where we are at before we start the tournament."