Sunday, September 4
Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
1:00 P.M.
Colorado
2-3-0
2
at
3
Illinois
5-1-0
1
2
F
Colorado
1
1
2
Illinois
0
3
3
Photo by: Chip Bromfield, ProMotion Ltd.
Buffs Score Two, But Drop Second Road Game
September 04, 2011 | Soccer
URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Colorado ended its two game scoring drought, but lost 3-2 in a tight game  against No. 17 Illinois on Sunday afternoon.
After two consecutive 1-0 losses to Wyoming and Purdue, Colorado rallied after a slow start when Illinois took the first four shots of the game. CU turned around and responded with four shots of its own.
In an evenly-matched half, the Buffs took advantage of two Illinois fouls late in the first 45 minutes. Midfielder Kate Russell was chosen to take the second free kick 20 yards out from Illinois keeper Steph Panozzo. Russell was familiar with the situation, as it was a play she has practiced and prepared for.
"Kate was pretty excited [about the free kick], because she's been working on it for probably three years," CU head coach Bill Hempen said.
Russell sent a blazing shot past Panozzo, and the Buffs took a 1-0 lead with eight minutes left in the half.
"I was feeling pretty good when I went up to take the shot," Russell said. "I had a lot of confidence going up there. When it went in the back of the net, it was just a great feeling. I think our confidence really rose when we got that first goal."
"[The goal] was every bit of what you would expect from a player of her caliber," Hempen added.
Though the Buffs finished the first half on top, Illinois outshot them 10-6.
CU came out looking sharp in the second half and had a couple of opportunities before Illinois tied it up.
The game went to 1-1 after Illinois' Marissa Mykines scored an unassisted goal at the 50 minute mark. Mykines was able to catch CU keeper Annie Brunner off balance to score her third of the season.
Colorado came back and scored its second goal that stemmed from another Illinois foul. CU took a free kick from outside of the box, but was awarded a penalty kick when an Illini player was called for a hand ball from the ensuing kick. Amy Barczuk put CU's first PK in the top-right quadrant, and Colorado had a 2-1 lead 67 minutes in.
That marked the end of Colorado's goals, and Illinois took over for the final scores of the game. Even though the Buffs defended as well as they could, Illinois snuck its forwards into close range where they were able to tuck the balls away past Brunner.
With under 19 minutes remaining in the game, Illinois' Niki Read played a slow pass five yards into Colorado's box where teammate Vanessa DiBernardo was able to one-touch the ball past Brunner to tie the game, 2-2. Three minutes later, DiBernardo picked up a loose ball and scored to give Illinois a 3-2 lead. Her eighth goal of the season would be the game-winner.
Despite the loss, the Buffs took away knowing they can compete with ranked teams.
"It feels good," said Russell. "I think we've known we can play with these types of teams, it's just a matter of being able to pull off the plays we really need to."
Russell also said this game will motivate the team as they look to face Denver next Sunday. Colorado and DU have a history, and she believes it will be encouraging to have a big game to look forward to after two losses on the road.
For their outstanding play this weekend, Barczuk and Russell were named to the Illini/Boilermaker Cup All-Tournament team. The team consisted of players from Colorado, Illinois, Purdue and USC.
Join the Buffs next week for Autograph Day - Sunday, September 11
Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with the women's soccer program and don't miss any of the action this upcoming weekend as the CU soccer team returns to Prentup Field on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1:00 p.m. for a game against the University of Denver in the Omni Hotels Colorado Challenge. The first 200 fans will receive a free CU Soccer mini ball plus there will be a special post-game autograph session with the team... Stick around and meet the student-athletes! Remember, parking and admission are free for all CU soccer games.
After two consecutive 1-0 losses to Wyoming and Purdue, Colorado rallied after a slow start when Illinois took the first four shots of the game. CU turned around and responded with four shots of its own.
In an evenly-matched half, the Buffs took advantage of two Illinois fouls late in the first 45 minutes. Midfielder Kate Russell was chosen to take the second free kick 20 yards out from Illinois keeper Steph Panozzo. Russell was familiar with the situation, as it was a play she has practiced and prepared for.
"Kate was pretty excited [about the free kick], because she's been working on it for probably three years," CU head coach Bill Hempen said.
Russell sent a blazing shot past Panozzo, and the Buffs took a 1-0 lead with eight minutes left in the half.
"I was feeling pretty good when I went up to take the shot," Russell said. "I had a lot of confidence going up there. When it went in the back of the net, it was just a great feeling. I think our confidence really rose when we got that first goal."
"[The goal] was every bit of what you would expect from a player of her caliber," Hempen added.
Though the Buffs finished the first half on top, Illinois outshot them 10-6.
CU came out looking sharp in the second half and had a couple of opportunities before Illinois tied it up.
The game went to 1-1 after Illinois' Marissa Mykines scored an unassisted goal at the 50 minute mark. Mykines was able to catch CU keeper Annie Brunner off balance to score her third of the season.
Colorado came back and scored its second goal that stemmed from another Illinois foul. CU took a free kick from outside of the box, but was awarded a penalty kick when an Illini player was called for a hand ball from the ensuing kick. Amy Barczuk put CU's first PK in the top-right quadrant, and Colorado had a 2-1 lead 67 minutes in.
That marked the end of Colorado's goals, and Illinois took over for the final scores of the game. Even though the Buffs defended as well as they could, Illinois snuck its forwards into close range where they were able to tuck the balls away past Brunner.
With under 19 minutes remaining in the game, Illinois' Niki Read played a slow pass five yards into Colorado's box where teammate Vanessa DiBernardo was able to one-touch the ball past Brunner to tie the game, 2-2. Three minutes later, DiBernardo picked up a loose ball and scored to give Illinois a 3-2 lead. Her eighth goal of the season would be the game-winner.
Despite the loss, the Buffs took away knowing they can compete with ranked teams.
"It feels good," said Russell. "I think we've known we can play with these types of teams, it's just a matter of being able to pull off the plays we really need to."
Russell also said this game will motivate the team as they look to face Denver next Sunday. Colorado and DU have a history, and she believes it will be encouraging to have a big game to look forward to after two losses on the road.
For their outstanding play this weekend, Barczuk and Russell were named to the Illini/Boilermaker Cup All-Tournament team. The team consisted of players from Colorado, Illinois, Purdue and USC.
Join the Buffs next week for Autograph Day - Sunday, September 11
Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with the women's soccer program and don't miss any of the action this upcoming weekend as the CU soccer team returns to Prentup Field on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1:00 p.m. for a game against the University of Denver in the Omni Hotels Colorado Challenge. The first 200 fans will receive a free CU Soccer mini ball plus there will be a special post-game autograph session with the team... Stick around and meet the student-athletes! Remember, parking and admission are free for all CU soccer games.
Team Stats
CU
ILL
Goals
2
3
Shots
15
19
Shots on Goal
8
9
Saves
6
6
Corners
6
5
Fouls
13
8
Scoring Plays
Russell, Kate (2)
Following foul outside goalie box, free
37:04
Mykines, Marissa (3)
Controls ball, dribbles to middle outsid
50:25
Barczuk, Amy (1)
67:20
DiBernardo, Vanessa (7)
Assisted By: Read, Niki
20 in center of box into lower-right
71:45
DiBernardo, Vanessa (8)
Recovers loose ball, shot into lower-lef
74:11
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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