Buffs Fight Hard, Fall 1-0 To No. 1 UCLA

LOS ANGELES – The University of Colorado women's soccer team fell to No. 1 UCLA 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Drake Stadium.

The Buffaloes held the top ranked team in the country scoreless in the first half, but the Bruins took the lead in the 64th minute. Sam Mewis scored the game winner with the assist coming from Zoey Goralski.

Colorado drops to 8-4 overall and 1-2 in Pac-12 matches as the Bruins improve to 10-0-2 and 2-0-1, extending its unbeaten streak to 33 straight matches.

Mewis broke the scoreless tie 19 minutes into the second half when Goralski made a pass toward teammate Taylor Smith. Smith let the ball run through her legs, which opened up a space for Mewis to take the shot, drilling it home from 15 yards out in the center of the box. It was Mewis team-leading ninth goal and Goralski's first assist of the season.

Colorado kept the pressure on, creating a few scoring opportunities after UCLA gained the upper-hand and outshot the Bruins 4-2 in the second period.

In the 76th minute, junior Emily Paxton sent a shot toward the Bruins' goal, but it was blocked before it had a chance to reach UCLA goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, who saved both of the Buffs' shots on goal in the match.

"I was pleased how we responded after the goal, said Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez. "We created a couple corners and a couple dangerous situations in the box. Big picture we knew it was going to be tough. We played well in stretches and it's something to build off of for next weekend."

Junior Madison Krauser tried to net the equalizer in the closing seconds at the 89:53 mark, but again Rowland was able to make the save. Krauser led the Buffs with three shots (one on goal). Colorado recorded seven shots on the afternoon.

Despite the result, the Buffs turned in another solid performance defensively, holding the Bruins to only nine shots in the contest. UCLA entered Sunday averaging 20 shots in each match.

"I was pleased with all of our backs and the players we rotated through there," said Sanchez. "They stuck to the game plan and were tight defensively. They did a good job. UCLA is very dangerous with a lot of attacking players and we kept players behind the ball, which helped."

The Buffs leave Los Angeles with a 1-1 record in two matches over the weekend.

"It was a good bounce back weekend from last week's disappointing result at home [against Cal]. You always want two wins, but to get a split on the road in the Pac-12 was good. We'll refocus, get a little rest tomorrow and get back at it Tuesday morning."

The Buffs return to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 10 when they face Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MT and the match will be broadcasted on Pac-12 Networks.

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Team Stats

Madison Krauser

Joss Orejel

Carly Bolyard

Emily Paxton

Players Mentioned

Madison Krauser

Emily Paxton

Players Mentioned

Madison Krauser

Emily Paxton