Colorado University Athletics
Sunday, August 28
Boulder, Colo.
1:00 p.m.
Colorado
2-1-0
0
vs
1
Wyoming
2-2-0
1
2
F
Wyoming
0
1
1
Colorado
0
0
0
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Buffs Battle Hard But Suffer First Season Loss
August 28, 2011 | Soccer
BOULDER - After two victories and eight goals last weekend, Colorado was shut out by Wyoming 1-0 at Prentup Field on Sunday. Â It was CU's first loss of the 2011 season, and the Buffs dropped to 2-1-0.
Colorado used its momentum from last week's Colorado Cup tournament victory, and came out strong against the visiting Cowgirls. Despite their efforts, CU failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and fell to Wyoming for just the second time in 10 matches. It was also Colorado's first loss to Wyoming at home.
"[The loss] just gets us back to reality," CU head coach Bill Hempen said. "We were flying high, scoring eight goals in two games, and you have these kinds of games. You have an opponent who knows their chances are going to be limited, and they have a plan to try and win by one. [Wyoming] did it."
The Buffs created chances early on, putting up 10 shots to Wyoming's seven in the first half. Midfielder Kate Russell led the CU offense with three first half shots, including the first two of the game.
Colorado had a chance to take the lead 21 minutes in when freshman Darcy Jerman forced Wyoming keeper Courtney Merkle to make a diving save. Jerman got the ball right back and hit the post.
"[Wyoming] tried to gift us a couple [of scoring chances], but we didn't take advantage," Hempen said.
Despite Colorado's great ball possession, Wyoming's defense kept the game scoreless going into halftime.
Both teams were looking for the first goal of the game, and came out aggressive in the second half. That first goal proved to be the most important of the afternoon, as it would become the game-winner.
Just eight minutes in, CU goalkeeper Annie Brunner misplayed a ball straight to the feet of Wyoming forward, Sara Paul. Paul was able to take a quick touch before burying her shot to put Wyoming up 1-0.
"Obviously it was my fault, so it's pretty devastating to lose 1-0. I'll go home, reflect, obviously a terrible goal, so it won't happen again," Brunner said.
"It was very difficult to swallow," added Hempen.
The Buffs didn't give up, and worked tirelessly to score. Colorado ended up outshooting Wyoming 22-9, but couldn't find the back of the net. Even though it wasn't the ideal outcome after scoring so many goals last week, CU midfielder Kate Russell found the positives in their efforts.
"Our first couple of games, I think, we all kind of thought it was a sign we were going to be scoring a lot of goals [this season], and we didn't this game. In a way, that's good for us because it just shows we need to keep working on that, and it's not always going to come easy," she said.
Russell also added that their earlier games this season showed them what they were capable of doing as a team, and that they can find a way to push through to find wins.
The Buffs will head to the Midwest for their first road trip of the season on Thursday. They attempt to even up their records against Purdue on Friday and Illinois on Sunday.
"We'll keep plugging away. It's game number three. It's a shame we couldn't make it to 3-0, so we'll try to make it to 3-1," said Hempen.
Colorado used its momentum from last week's Colorado Cup tournament victory, and came out strong against the visiting Cowgirls. Despite their efforts, CU failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and fell to Wyoming for just the second time in 10 matches. It was also Colorado's first loss to Wyoming at home.
"[The loss] just gets us back to reality," CU head coach Bill Hempen said. "We were flying high, scoring eight goals in two games, and you have these kinds of games. You have an opponent who knows their chances are going to be limited, and they have a plan to try and win by one. [Wyoming] did it."
The Buffs created chances early on, putting up 10 shots to Wyoming's seven in the first half. Midfielder Kate Russell led the CU offense with three first half shots, including the first two of the game.
Colorado had a chance to take the lead 21 minutes in when freshman Darcy Jerman forced Wyoming keeper Courtney Merkle to make a diving save. Jerman got the ball right back and hit the post.
"[Wyoming] tried to gift us a couple [of scoring chances], but we didn't take advantage," Hempen said.
Despite Colorado's great ball possession, Wyoming's defense kept the game scoreless going into halftime.
Both teams were looking for the first goal of the game, and came out aggressive in the second half. That first goal proved to be the most important of the afternoon, as it would become the game-winner.
Just eight minutes in, CU goalkeeper Annie Brunner misplayed a ball straight to the feet of Wyoming forward, Sara Paul. Paul was able to take a quick touch before burying her shot to put Wyoming up 1-0.
"Obviously it was my fault, so it's pretty devastating to lose 1-0. I'll go home, reflect, obviously a terrible goal, so it won't happen again," Brunner said.
"It was very difficult to swallow," added Hempen.
The Buffs didn't give up, and worked tirelessly to score. Colorado ended up outshooting Wyoming 22-9, but couldn't find the back of the net. Even though it wasn't the ideal outcome after scoring so many goals last week, CU midfielder Kate Russell found the positives in their efforts.
"Our first couple of games, I think, we all kind of thought it was a sign we were going to be scoring a lot of goals [this season], and we didn't this game. In a way, that's good for us because it just shows we need to keep working on that, and it's not always going to come easy," she said.
Russell also added that their earlier games this season showed them what they were capable of doing as a team, and that they can find a way to push through to find wins.
The Buffs will head to the Midwest for their first road trip of the season on Thursday. They attempt to even up their records against Purdue on Friday and Illinois on Sunday.
"We'll keep plugging away. It's game number three. It's a shame we couldn't make it to 3-0, so we'll try to make it to 3-1," said Hempen.
Team Stats
WYM
CU
Goals
1
0
Shots
9
22
Shots on Goal
5
3
Saves
3
4
Corners
2
7
Fouls
12
6
Scoring Plays
Paul. Sara (1)
52:57
Game Leaders
Shots
6
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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