2015 CU Soccer Preview

BOULDER – In 2014, the University of Colorado women's soccer team earned a program-best third place finish in the Pac-12 Conference en route to a second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament where the Buffs advanced to the second round. The Buffaloes will look for continued success in their fifth season in the highly competitive Pac-12 Conference and their fourth under head coach Danny Sanchez. Eight newcomers will join 18 returning letterwinners to compete in 20 regular season matches, including the fifth annual Colorado Cup.

WHO'S RETURNING: The Buffs return 18 letterwinners, including five starters and four student-athletes with starting experience. Four of the team's top six scorers return, led by junior Brie Hooks, who recorded 23 points off eight goals and seven assists in her sophomore season. All but four goal scorers will be returning to the Buff attack, while defenders Kahlia Hogg, Alex Huynh and Heather Ward will help anchor the back line. Seven seniors will provide leadership on and off the pitch.

WHO'S GONE: The team bids farewell to seven players, including five senior starters. Forward, co-captain Darcy Jerman along with midfielder Carly Bolyard have graduated. They played pivotal roles on the attack, combining for eight goals, six assists and 64 shots. The defense also loses a few key pieces, with shot blockers Tori Cooper, Brooke Rice and 2014 co-captain Bianca Jones all graduating from CU. The three defenders supported a back line that helped shutout a record-tying 12 opponents and only allowed 17 goals over 22 matches. Forward Storie Ledger also graduated and Hannah Dearborn will not be returning in 2015.

WHO'S NEW: CU welcomes eight newcomers- seven freshmen and one transfer. West Coasters Erin Greening, Brooklyn Varnadore and Stephanie Zuniga-Herrera look to make an early impact on the attack, while Canadian Sarah Kinzner and Colorado natives Amy Alexander and Alex Vidger will add a strong presence in the midfield. The Buffs also add goalkeeper Jalen Tompkins from Phoenix, Ariz. Danica Evans, a transfer from Portland and Lakewood, Colo. native will continue her collegiate career with the Buffaloes, adding depth to the offense.

THE SEASON: The 2015 schedule features 11 home matches and nine contests will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. CU will face eight opponents ranked or receiving votes in the 2015 NSCAA Preseason Poll.

The Buffaloes open their season with the fifth annual Colorado Cup on Friday, August 21 in Fort Collins. CU faces Colorado State and then plays its first match at home on Sunday, August 23 against Colorado College, one of three matches CU will host as part of Colorado Cup Sunday at Prentup Field. The Buffs own a combined 8-2-1 record against the Rams and Tigers as CU begins its quest to defend its 2014 tournament title.

After their opening weekend, the Buffs travel to Provo, Utah on Friday, August 28 for a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament contest against BYU, in which the Buffs defeated the Cougars 2-0 to advance to the round of 32 for a second consecutive season. BYU TV will broadcast the match.

CU returns to Boulder for a three-match home stand, beginning Sunday, August 30, when the Buffs host New Mexico at Prentup Field. This will mark only the third time CU has met New Mexico on the pitch and first time the Lobos will travel to Boulder. Colorado continues with its non-conference schedule the following weekend as the team welcomes Cincinnati to Prentup on Friday, September 4 and former Big-12 opponent, Iowa State on Sunday, September 6, which will be the first meeting between the two schools since CU joined the Pac-12 Conference in 2011.

The Colorado Cup concludes on Friday, September 11 as the Buffs take a short trip to Denver for an evening match against the Pioneers. CU rounds out the weekend with its first of another three-match home stand on Sunday, September 13, facing the Northwestern Wildcats for only the second time in program history. The match will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.

Colorado competes in its final non-conference match a week later on Sunday, September 20 when first-time opponent Villanova comes to town.

At the midway point in the season, the Buffs open Pac-12 Conference play, hosting California on Sunday, September 27 in their final match of the home stand.

The Buffs then take a trip to the Pacific Northwest for two matches in Oregon. First up is a stop in Eugene to battle the Oregon Ducks on Friday, October 2 before traveling to Corvallis to face Oregon State on Sunday, October 4.

CU has a date with the Washington schools in Boulder the following weekend for a second straight year. Washington arrives on Friday, October 9 and two days later, Washington State visits for a matinee on Sunday, October 11 to close out the weekend.

The team embarks on its longest road trip of the season next, playing three straight in California. Colorado will face Stanford in Palo Alto on Friday, October 16 and then travels down the coast the following weekend for two matches in Los Angeles. The defending Pac-12 Conference Champions UCLA Bruins host the Buffs on Friday, October 23 for an evening contest under the lights and Southern California welcomes CU on Sunday, October 25 for the Buffs final match of the road trip.

The Buffaloes play their final two home matches of the regular season over Halloween weekend. The Arizona Wildcats are in Boulder on Friday, October 30 and Arizona State faces CU on Sunday, November 1.

Colorado closes out its 2015 regular season campaign on the road, visiting conference rival Utah. The match is set for Friday, November 6 in Salt Lake City.