CU Soccer Falls To WSU In Second Road Game Of Season

Friday, October 11

Pullman, Wash.

3:00 PM

Colorado

10-3-0, 2-2-0Pac-12

Washington State

9-1-3, 2-1-1Pac-12

Colorado

Washington State

Photo by: Chip Bromfield, ProMotion Ltd.

October 11, 2013 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Marlee Horn, Assistant SID

PULLMAN, Wash. – In just the second road game of the season, the first out of the state of Colorado, the University of Colorado soccer team was tested by Washington State, falling 3-0 here Friday.

The Pac-12 Conference leader in shots and corners, the Buffaloes were limited to just nine shots (the second least they've taken in a single game this season) and one corner kick (the least in a single game this season). Coming off a 4-1 home stand, the Buffs have fallen for just the third time this season, moving their record to 10-3 overall, 2-2 Pac-12.

Washington State sophomore Cara Wegner led the Cougars with a two-goal performance, scoring in the fourth and 52nd minutes. Senior Micaela Castain (who entered the game ranked in the nation's top 25 in goals, points and points per game and WSU's all-time top four in goals and points) added the insurance in the 58th minute to give the Cougars the 3-0 victory.

"We talked about how we needed to come out and withstand some early pressure, and we didn't do a good job of that," CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. "We gave up a goal three minutes into the game. After that, I felt like we kind of settled down and had a couple of good chances toward the end of the first half. Going into the second half, we felt pretty good about it. We just had a lapse there in the middle. We didn't play as well as we're capable of. Washington State, playing at home, they haven't been home in a while, they brought the energy and deserved the win. We'll have to gather ourselves and get ready for Sunday at Washington."

After a six game road trip, Washington State returned to Lower Soccer Field, where the Cougars haven't lost since Oct. 5, 2012. WSU improves to 9-1-3 overall, 2-1-1 Pac-12. The Cougars' only loss of the season came at the hands of then No. 3 UCLA, snapping WSU's program record 14-game unbeaten streak dating back to last season.

The aggressive game saw the teams drawing 31 total fouls. The Cougars just edged the Buffs in shots (nine to 11) and shots on goal (six to five). CU keeper Annie Brunner grabbed three saves, all coming in the first half. She allowed at least two goals for just the third time this season (both prior times were against ranked opponents).

The Cougars got off to an early start, finding the back of the net on their first shot, in the fourth minute. After a cross was deflected by a CU defender, Cara Wegner tapped the ball in near the net off an assist from sophomore Kourtney Guetlein (who leads the WSU midfield with five assists).

The squad took two more shots (both of which were saved by Brunner) and two corner kicks before the Buffs were able to take their first shot. At 13:44, Darcy Jerman made Clair Gurveen (who entering the game ranked eighth in the nation with a 0.41 goals-against average) grab her first of five saves.

After a nearly seven minute long shooting drought, both teams got back on target. First, CU's Alex Huynh sent the ball high. Less than one minute later, the Buffs were back on the attack, with Anne Stuller hitting one at the keeper. The Cougars quickly responded, with Wegner getting blocked at the net.

The Buffs and Cougars played aggressively, racking up a combined 12 fouls in the first half alone, but neither team was able to take another shot until the closing minutes. In the 41st minute, WSU got an opportunity off a corner kick, but the Buffs cleared the ball with a team save. Emily Paxton took over for CU, seizing what Sanchez saw as the Buffs' best opportunity of the game. CU won the ball deep in WSU territory, forcing Gurveen to work for the save.

WSU continued to attack in the final two minutes. First, freshman Kaitlyn Johnson was blocked; then junior Mesa Owsley sent the ball wide right to keep their lead at 1-0 entering halftime.

In the 52nd minute, Wegner was hungry for more. She got the ball at the near post and finished from close range to put the Cougars up 2-0. Classmate Delaney Zalud was credited with the assist. The Cougars recorded four consecutive fouls, but the Buffs were only able to get one shot at the goal in that span, with Stuller sending the ball high.

WSU was quick to get back on the attack, scoring again in the 58th minute. After receiving a cross from Guetlein, Castain shot from the top of the box and into the far right post to net the Cougars' third goal of the game.

The teams traded off two fouls apiece before the Buffs were able to reach the net again. In the 62nd minute, Madison Krauser got a shot off, but hit the ball high. Just two minutes later, Carly Bolyard sent one at the keeper off a free kick.

In the 69th and 70th minutes, WSU took its final two shots of the second half, sending both high. CU freshman keeper Kenzie Tillitt came in shortly after, continuing her perfect 0.00 GAA for the final 20 minutes.

"Once it gets up to 3-0, we obviously still wanted to play well, but we also had an eye on Sunday," Sanchez said. "We had some players sub in, and Kenzie came in. She hasn't played a lot this year, but did well."

A line change for the Buffs in the final six minutes of regulation helped spur the CU offense. Just minutes after subbing in, Nikki Machalek sent a shot at the keeper. After two offsides calls, the Buffs were able to get a couple more looks at the net in the final minute, with Bolyard getting blocked at 89:34 and taking the ensuing corner kick.

"This was our first true road game of the year outside of Colorado, and I don't feel we stepped up to the challenge consistently," Sanchez said. "In spurts for sure, but over 90 minutes, it wasn't good enough, and we know that. We know that we need a more consistent effort on Sunday against a team, that depending on how they do against Utah, will be playing for their tournament lives. We need to play better; as simple as that sounds. There's plenty more to come."

The Buffs continue their three game road swing against Washington. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.