Soccer Blanks DU 1-0 In Overtime

Friday, September 4

Boulder, Colo.

4 p.m.

Colorado

3-1-0

Denver

2-1-1

OT 3

OT 4

Denver

Colorado

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

September 04, 2009 | Soccer

Box Score

By: CUBuffs.com

BOULDER - Senior forward Nikki Marshall led the University of Colorado women's soccer team to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Denver in the final minute of overtime in the first day of the eighth annual Colorado Soccer Classic here Friday.

With the win, Colorado improves to 3-1 overall and 7-4-1 all-time against Denver (2-1-1).

"No matter what we just kept pushing and I am proud of the whole team for the way we executed on the field," said head coach Bill Hempen. "Our midfielders today must have run about 15 miles. I was absolutely in awe. I could not be more proud of their energy and their effort today."

The first half proved to be a game of possession as Colorado outshot the Pioneers seven to four, but CU was the only team to record a shot on goal, allowing DU's keeper to make the lone save of the half.

With just one shot on goal in the first half, Colorado would increase its offensive momentum in the second half, recording six-of-thirteen shots on goal to Denver's one.

The Buffs nearly got on the board in the 58th minute when sophomore Kassidy Fitzpatrick fired a hard shot towards the DU goal but Pioneer goalkeeper, freshman Lara Campbell got her hand on the ball and managed to tip it over the crossbar, forcing a Buffalo corner kick with 37 minutes left to play.

Despite a number of second-half opportunities, the Buffs and Pioneers were unable to find the back of the net at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.

The Buffs would dominate the first overtime period, outshooting Denver 2-0 after the first ten minutes. With the clock winding down in the final overtime period, the Buffs proved that they had no intention of giving up. In true Marshall fashion, Colorado would find the back of the net with just a minute left to play.

Sophomore midfielder Kate Russell sent a high cross into the Denver box towards a Pioneer defender and Marshall. Marshall won the ball in the box and got around the defender, allowing her to bury the ball in the back of the net to break the tie and give the Buffs the 1-0 overtime victory.

"I was just really thankful we finished out strong today," added Marshall. "DU is obviously an extremely talented team and it was great having such a good challenge. It only makes us stronger in the end."

Russell and Marshall led the Buffs with nine and eight shots, respectively, while senior goalkeeper Kara Linder recorded her second shutout of the season.

"Today shows I can't be just an individual out here, we needed our whole team, for the whole game, and I am really proud of them," said Marshall. "Not one of them ever stopped fighting."

"Nikki is extremely unselfish, and a few times throughout the game you could tell she wanted her teammates to share in the opportunity of scoring the go-ahead goal," added Hempen.

"She is an unbelievable player who couldn't be a better teammate."

Marshall's goal proved to be the latest goal scored in CU program history since extra time was shortened to 10 minutes a period in 1998.

The 2,711 fans that watched the Buffalo win marks the second-largest crowd all-time at Prentup Field.

In the first game of the tournament, Oregon took on Colgate at 2 p.m. Colgate got on the board first with an early second half goal and Oregon would tie it up with just eight minutes left in regulation. Oregon outshot Colgate 36-6 and both teams were unable to take the lead after two overtime periods and the game finished tied at 1-1.

Colgate will now look for a win on Sunday when they face Denver at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Colorado will conclude the tournament at Prentup Field on Sunday, taking on Oregon at 2 p.m., immediately following the Denver vs. Colgate game. Admission and parking are free.