Three Buffs Score In 3-3 Draw With No. 21 Arizona

Friday, October 30

Boulder, Colo.

3:00 PM

Colorado

7-8-3, 1-6-2Pac-12

Arizona

11-4-2, 5-3-1Pac-12

OT 3

OT 4

Arizona

Colorado

October 30, 2015 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Andy Schlichting, Assistant SID

BOULDER - Three different players scored for Colorado as the Buffs tied No. 21 Arizona 3-3 in soccer on Friday afternoon at Prentup Field.

Sarah Kinzner, Danica Evans and Brie Hooks each netted a score in the match.

It was all Buffs for most of the first half as they scored twice in the first 17 minutes. Kinzner started the scoring with her first career goal in the 15th minute, collecting a free kick from goalkeeper Kate Scheele near the top of the box and ripping a shot from 20 yards out just under the crossbar.

Kinzner knew a good start against a strong opponent would be key in Friday's game. "I was very excited, and I wanted to raise the energy. Arizona is a great team, but I knew that we could compete with them."

CU was not done as Madi Krauser set up Evans just two minutes later as Evans headed in the cross from Krauser to push the lead to 2-0. Evans took over the team lead as it was her fifth goal of the year, while Krauser moved into a tie for third all-time in school history with her 16th career assist on the play.

"We're pleased," head coach Danny Sanchez said of the two-goal lead. "Let's keep in mind that this is the 13-ranked RPI team in the country, so to come out and get the two goals right off the bat was the key."

The Wildcats outshot CU 5-0 over the final 16 minutes of the half, but the strong play of the back line kept only one shot from getting on goal. That save was a big one from Scheele as she had to dive to her left to keep Jaden DeGracie's free kick from putting the Wildcats on the scoreboard in the 42nd minute.

Things got wild in the second half. Arizona opened the scoring in the 55th minute when Hannah Stevens scored following a corner kick to cut the Buffs lead in half.

Hooks scored six minutes later to push the lead back to two goals at 3-1. Emily Paxton set her up for a wide open shot at the top of the box. It was Hooks's fifth goal of the year, moving her back into a tie with Evans for the team lead.

The two-goal lead was short-lived as Paige Crouch scored in the 63rd minute to cut CU's lead to 3-2 off another corner kick.

"We knew that was going to be dangerous, and I don't think that we dealt with that," Sanchez said of the corner-kick goals."

The Wildcats scored the equalizer in the 84th minute after several quick passes through the box, giving Sheaffer Skadsen a wide-open look from the center.

Scheele kept the game tied, making a crucial save just seconds before the end of the second half off a header from a throw-in.

CU had a couple of scoring chances in the first overtime period with Hooks putting a shot on goal and Joss Orejel missing high on another shot.

Scheele made two saves in the second overtime and finished the match with six saves. Kinzner had the final scoring chance for the Buffs, missing just wide on a shot from inside the box in the 107th minute.

"We competed well, we played hard," Sanchez said after a tie with one of the top teams in the country. "And if we are going to be honest with ourselves, a draw is probably a fair result over the 110 minutes."

The Buffs moved to 7-8-3 overall and 1-6-2 in the Pac-12 with the tie and Arizona is now 11-4-2 and 5-3-1 in Pac-12 play. CU will play its final home match of the season on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Arizona State. The Buffs will say goodbye to their seven seniors before that match.

"Arizona State is rolling," Sanchez said. "They started really slow, but they have been on a great run. Sunday is going to be a totally different game. We are going to have to keep the ball, we are going to have to switch the point of attack. But it's also Sunday, and it will be their fourth day at altitude, so we want to keep the tempo up."