Soccer Tops OSU 1-0 In Season Opener

Saturday, August 22

Boulder, Colo.

2:30 p.m.

Colorado

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

Oklahoma State

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

Oklahoma State

Colorado

Photo by: Tony Harman

August 22, 2009 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Aaron Lopez, Denver Nuggets

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team opened the 2009 campaign with a 1-0 win over No. 11 Oklahoma State here Saturday.

Colorado (1-0, 1-0 Big 12) not only opened the season with an upset win over OSU (0-1, 0-1 Big 12), but the Buffs are also at the top of the Big 12 standings after winning what was an early conference match-up.

"Oklahoma State had a plan that they weren't going to chase and run around more than they had to and they did a great job of keeping the ball," said head coach Bill Hempen. "We tried to be more direct in the second half and make them chase and make them tired and we were fortunate enough to get one on the board."

The Buffaloes attempted to get on the board early in the seventh minute of the match when sophomore midfielder Kelly Butler battled it out with two Cowgirl defenders and was able to break through and blast a hard shot towards the goal, but OSU keeper Adrianna Franch extended to make the save.

Oklahoma State outshot the Buffaloes four to three in the first half, and the two teams only managed one shot on goal each.

Both teams picked up the pace of play after half time and Colorado would get on the board in the 63rd minute. Senior Ally Goodman won the ball on the right side of the field and sent a high cross toward the Cowgirls' goal to Butler. OSU's keeper tried to intercept the cross and left her feet but could only get a couple of fingers on the ball. Butler waited for the bounce and was able to bury it in the back of the open net for the 1-0 lead and the eventual game-winner.

"It's a really big win for us," said Butler. "To beat a Big 12 opponent is very important and it shows that we're really coming together as a team. But we still have to take it one game at a time. We have a really tough schedule this season and it was important to get this first win against OSU."

"We had a lot of players respond today which was very positive," added Hempen. "Ally Goodman went into the game and she made a difference. And they didn't give up on that play. Kelly stayed with it and got the right bounce and she stuck it into the empty net."

Oklahoma State showed no signs of backing down and the Cowgirls saw their best opportunity to tie the game with just four minutes left on the clock. OSU was awarded back to back corner kicks and on the second attempt, junior defender Kelly Ross denied a perfectly centered cross and won the challenge against an OSU forward, heading the ball clear out of the box.

Despite outshooting the Buffaloes 11 to seven, Oklahoma State was unable to get on the board and the Buffs managed to hold on for the shutout win. Senior goalkeeper Kara Linder recorded her first win of the season after racking up a total of three saves.

"It's different, but exciting to play such a difficult Big 12 opponent the first game of the season," said Linder. "Hopefully that continues to make us stronger as a team. We wanted to come out and play hard to get our first win and now we have a week until our next game before we can prove ourselves again."

It was a night of firsts for Colorado as four newcomers to the program made their debuts. Freshman Amy Barczuk started and played every minute in her first game as a Buffalo and Quinn Krier, Erin Bricker, and Lauren Shaner also entered the game and competed for the first time at the collegiate level. Sophomore Kelci Newlin and junior Taryn Vitacca also recorded their first career starts for the Buffs on defense.

Colorado will return to the pitch next week against another ranked opponent, No. 17 Illinois in the DU Soccer Classic down the road in Denver. CU takes on Illinois on Friday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. and then St. Mary's on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. to wrap up the weekend.