Soccer Wraps Up Exhibition Play With 2-1 Win Over Bears

Sunday, August 16

Boulder, Colo.

2:30 p.m.

Colorado

Northern Colorado (Exhibition)

Photo by: Tony Harman

Soccer Wraps Up Exhibition Play With 2-1 Win Over Bears

August 16, 2009 | Soccer

By: Aaron Lopez, Denver Nuggets

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team topped the Northern Colorado 2-1 in its final exhibition match of the 2009 season here Sunday afternoon.

"We still have a long, long way to go," said head coach Bill Hempen. "After playing two games we know our weaknesses and the good news is that it's only August, not October. This is the time that we're supposed to work on those weaknesses."

CU got on the board first in the third minute of the game as sophomore Caroline Danneberg sent a perfect cross to senior forward Kelly Menachof who took one touch and buried her shot into the lower left corner of the goal.

"We still have a few things to work on but we have to be happy with the two (exhibition) wins," Menachof said. "We're a very young team and its feels pretty good to have the team chemistry going but we don't have that 'it' factor yet."

Northern Colorado responded 12 minutes later to even things out when Alexsys Tamayo was on the receiving end of two consecutive blocked shots, tying the game at 1-1.

The Buffs outshot the Bears 10 to eight in the first half and both keepers racked up two saves a piece.

Colorado came out strong in the second half and limited UNC to just five shots while the Buffs had 13.

In the 64th minute, Colorado was awarded a corner kick. Senior Ally Goodman stepped up to take the kick and put the ball in the center of the goal, which found the head of freshman Shaye Marshall. Marshall sent a hard header towards the goal but was blocked by a UNC defender. Fellow freshman Erin Bricker was there for the rebound and was able to tap it in past the keeper for the lead.

"My goal was mostly (Shaye) Marshall, I was just there for the rebound," said Bricker. "It's definitely been a tough transition (between high school and college) but I'm getting more used to it."

Colorado wrapped up the game outshooting the Bears 23-13. Kassidy Fitzpatrick, Kelly Butler and Nikki Marshall all led the Buffs with three shots each.

"This isn't a game about individuals," added Hempen. "We need to get the best out of them as a group and get them playing together, and we certainly have the potential and a group of solid players that can do it."

Colorado will return to the pitch in less than a week as they take on 11th-ranked Oklahoma State on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in its first regular season match-up.

Fans, don't forget to come out to Prentup Field early on Saturday, Aug. 22 before the OSU game for Healthy Kids Day. After being rained out before the Spring Football game, this great event for kids 13 & under has been moved to Potts Field before CU Soccer's regular season home opener. There will be sports skills stations with CU Athletes on Potts Field (located right next to Prentup Field) from 1-2 pm. Kids will also have a chance to meet athletes from all of CU's teams and get autographs. The first 250 kids to complete the required stations will receive a CU t-shirt.

Check out the latest news and highlights with head coach Bill Hempen on the Buffalo Stampede: Soccer Edition exclusively on BuffsTV at www.cubuffs.com/soccer. New shows air every Monday night at 6 p.m. Simply click on the media player on the right hand side of the CU Soccer homepage for free insight into Colorado Soccer.

GOAL SUMMARY
1. 2:51 CU Kelly Menachof (Caroline Danneberg)
2. 15:50 UNC Alexsys Tamayo (unassisted)
3. 63:34 CU Erin Bricker (Shaye Marshall)