No. 4 Stanford Edges Buffs, 2-1

Friday, October 16

Stanford, Calif.

6:00 PM

Colorado

7-6-2, 1-4-1Pac-12

Stanford

12-2-0, 6-0-0Pac-12

Colorado

Stanford

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

October 16, 2015 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Ashley Braun, Assistant SID

STANFORD, Calif. – The University of Colorado women's soccer team battled hard here Friday evening, but No. 4 Stanford edged the Buffaloes 2-1 at Cagan Stadium.

The Buffs tallied the first goal of the match to take an early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute and then Stanford answered with two consecutive strikes over the next 13 minutes to build its 2-1 advantage, which resulted in the final score as neither team would tally another goal in the contest.

"I think the players really bought into the tactics we had going into the game," said Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez. "I was pleased with their performance, effort and commitment. I think they performed well and on the road against a top five team, I think we gave ourselves a chance to win, but unfortunately it didn't go our way tonight."

It was just five minutes into the first half of play when Colorado was awarded a free kick from about 25 yards outside Stanford's goal. Junior Alex Huynh stepped up and sent a rocket into goal box. The Cardinal's Maddie Bauer headed the ball in an attempt to clear it, but it went behind her, over her goalkeeper's head and into the back of the net, putting Colorado up 1-0.

Stanford countered with the equalizer a short time later as Tegan McGrady scored her second goal of the season at the 11:45 mark. The Cardinal played a ball into the Buffaloes' box and just as Colorado goalkeeper Scout Watson put her hands up to reach for the ball, McGrady made a hard run at Watson, making contact before heading it past the goal line and tying it at one apiece.

The Cardinal then scored the go-ahead goal in the 19th minute. Michelle Xiao sent a low cross in front of the net and Mariah Lee was in position to touch it past a diving Watson for the finish, tallying what would be the eventual game-winner.

After halftime, the field opened up some for the Buffs and they were able to push some numbers forward, creating a few opportunities, but just weren't able to get one past a strong Stanford back line and goalkeeper Jane Campbell.

Senior Kate Scheele replaced Watson as the second half goalkeeper. She finished with a pair of saves and shut out the Cardinal over the final 45 minutes, while the Buffs held Stanford to just six shots during that stretch.

"We had some half-chances, but at the end of it, Stanford is tough to break down and we always have to be careful with them going forward," said Sanchez. "I was real pleased with how we limited their opportunities."

Senior Madi Krauser had a chance for the Buffs in the 82nd minute. She won possession and played the ball past a Stanford defender to create a breakaway, until the ball rolled just a little too far ahead and Campbell sprinted off her line to kick the 50-50 ball out of bounds and did not allow Krauser to get another touch.

Moments later, the Buffs had a free kick and sophomore Joss Orejel sent a curling ball into a crowded Stanford goal box. Colorado charged the net and the ball got loose for a brief second, but Campbell then was able to corral it.

Colorado is now 7-6-2 overall and 1-4-1 in Pac-12 play. The Cardinal improves to 12-2 on the season and remains undefeated against Pac-12 opponents at 6-0-0 as they hold the top spot in the conference standings.

The Buffaloes will close out their three-match road trip next week, beginning on Friday, Oct. 23 at UCLA and then they travel to USC on Sunday, Oct. 25. Both contests will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.