Buffs Open Pac-12 Play With Tough Loss to OSU

Friday, September 23

Corvallis, Ore.

6:00 P.M.

Colorado

3-5-1, 0-1-0Pac-12

Oregon State

7-2-1, 1-0-0Pac-12

Colorado

Oregon State

Photo by: Tony Harman

September 24, 2011 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Taylor Temby, Graduate Assistant SID

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Colorado fell 2-0 to Oregon State in its first Pac-12 Conference match of the season.

The Pac-12 toughness was on display early in the game as three fouls were called in the first three minutes of play. Oregon State would go on to commit 23 fouls to Colorado's six.

"[Oregon State] didn't get one yellow card," defender Amy Steiner said. "They were getting into us and into the forwards. For once it was interesting to play a team that was more physical than what we've played."

It started out as an evenly-matched game with both CU and OSU taking four shots before the first goal was scored.

In the 23rd minute of play, Oregon State forward Chelsea Buckland found the ball and put a hard shot on goal. Colorado keeper Annie Brunner was able to make the save, but could not control it and sent the rebound right back to Buckland who buried it to put the Beavers up 1-0. It was Buckland's fifth goal of the season.

Colorado stayed strong and outshot OSU 4-2 to close out the half. Kate Russell led the Buffs with two shots, and CU forced Oregon State keeper Colleen Boyd to make four saves.

"We felt pretty good going into half. We had several clear cut chances and didn't score," CU head coach Bill Hempen said.

Despite its efforts, CU's defense could not control Buckland and she was able to give her team a two goal lead in the 65th minute by chipping the ball over the head of Brunner.

"We had two players marking the same ball," Hempen said. "They came out with it and they buried it."

Colorado had plenty of chances in the second half, but was outshot 11-3. Hempen noted that the Buffs had offensive rushes but chose the wrong time to shoot. The Buffs were shut out for the fourth time this season.

"They had enough chances to score and they did. We had enough chances to score and we did not. We have to find ways to find the goal and score because we're not doing it right now," he said.

"I don't think we were executing at the times we were supposed to. It was getting very unlucky at the end," added Steiner.

The Buffs will return to Colorado next weekend to play their first Pac-12 games at home. CU will face Arizona on Sept. 30 and Arizona State on Oct. 2.

Colorado's game against Arizona is especially close to Steiner as she transferred from the program after her sophomore year.

"It would be great [to win] the Pac-12 opener at home, and I've been looking forward to it all season," she said.

First Pac-12 Conference Game - Friday, September 30
Stand Shoulder to Shoulder and help your CU soccer team stampede into the Pac-12 when they face the University of Arizona Friday, September 30 at 4:00 p.m. To help celebrate soccer's Pac-12 Conference debut, Ralphie will be running prior to kick-off. Also, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free CU Soccer/Pac-12 t-shirt!

Crocs Cares - Sunday, October 2
Make your way to Prentup Field on Sunday, Oct. 2 as your Buffs take on Arizona State at 1:00 p.m. Crocs will be teaming up with the CU soccer team and encouraging fans to donate an old pair of shoes at next Sunday's game. Crocs is hosting a shoe donation box at the game so be sure to bring shoes you wish to donate! The first 100 fans who donate a pair of shoes will receive a FREE pair of Crocs.