Colorado University Athletics
Buffs On The Road At Denver, Home Against Northwestern
September 10, 2015 | Soccer
QUICKLY: The University of Colorado women's soccer team returns to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 11 for its final match of the 2015 Colorado Cup facing the University of Denver on the DU campus at 7 p.m. MDT. The Buffaloes then return home to host Northwestern on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. MDT. Colorado enters the weekend on a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating Iowa State, 2-1 in overtime last Sunday.
INTERVIEWS/CREDENTIAL REQUESTS: For those members of the media wishing to interview the women's soccer team during the season or request a game credential, please contact Assistant Sports Information Director/Soccer Contact Ashley Braun at (303) 492-7525 or ashley.braun@colorado.edu.
DON'T MISS IT: Friday's contest will be televised on Altitude with Conor McGahey and Brian Crookham on the call. On Sunday, Pac-12 Networks will broadcast the match. Ann Schatz has the call alongside Danielle Slaton.
COLORADO VS. DENVER: The Buffs and Pioneers meet for the 20th time on Friday night with Colorado leading the all-time series, 10-8-1. CU has won the last two meetings. In 2014, CU defeated its in-state rival 2-1 when the Buffs converted on a penalty kick in the 89th minute.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS: Denver is looking for its first win of the season, entering the contest with an 0-5-1 record as all six of the Pioneers' matches have been on the road. Denver lost eight letterwinners from its 2014 roster, four of whom were starters. Its 2015 squad includes a great deal of young talent. More than half of the Pioneers' roster are underclassmen with six freshmen and eight sophomores. Starting goalkeeper Cassidy Rey is in her junior season and has been the goalie of record in all six matches. She has 25 saves and has a 1.58 goals-against average.
COLORADO VS. NORTHWESTERN: The Buffaloes and Wildcats will face off for only the second time on Sunday with the two teams playing to a 2-2, double-overtime draw back on Sept. 2, 2012.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: Northwestern is 4-1-1 on the season and plays at Colorado State on Friday before visiting Boulder. The Wildcats have earned four clean sheets as they opened their 2015 campaign with three consecutive shutout victories. Their defense has only allowed two goals while goalkeeper Lauren Clem has logged all 560 minutes between the posts. Junior Addie Steiner leads the team with six points on two goals and two assists. Sophomore Maria Fayeulle also has a pair of goals.
LAST TIME OUT: Colorado went undefeated last weekend, earning a 1-0 win against Cincinnati on Friday afternoon and a 2-1 victory over former Big 12 foe Iowa State on Sunday. The freshmen, who continue to play a vital role in CU's early season success stepped up versus Cincinnati. Erin Greening scored the game-winner off an assist from Sarah Kinzner early in the second half as CU went on to earn its third shutout of the year. The Buffs then rallied for their third straight win, knocking off Iowa State in overtime. After falling behind 1-0 in the fourth minute, newcomer Danica Evans scored the tying goal in the 82nd minute and then junior Brie Hooks lifted CU to victory, converting on a penalty kick in the 95th minute.
AN EARLY IMPACT: Freshmen Amy Alexander, Erin Greening, Sarah Kinzner, Brooklyn Varnadore, Alex Vidger and Stephanie Zuniga along with Portland transfer Danica Evans have each seen playing time over the first three weeks of the season. The group of newcomers have contributed in a big way, combining for five goals, four assists, 36 shots with 23 on goal and three game-winners.
HEAD COACH DANNY SANCHEZ: Fourth year head coach Danny Sanchez has been outstanding at the helm of CU. Under his leadership, Sanchez has guided the Buffaloes to a combined 40-23-8 record since 2012. He has helped the black and gold post back-to-back 14 wins seasons (2013 and '14) along with two straight berths in the NCAA Tournament, advancing as far as the Sweet 16 in 2013 and the Round of 32 last season. In 2014, Sanchez led the Buffs to a program-best third place finish in the Pac-12 Conference and it also marked the first time CU posted a winning Pac-12 record since it joined the conference in 2011. In his 20+ year coaching career, Sanchez has accumulated a 307-83-31 record.
JUNIOR BRIE HOOKS: Brie Hooks is off to another strong start for the Buffs. She leads the team with three goals and three assists. Her goal against Iowa State last week, the 19th of her career, moved her into sixth place on the all-time scoring list. She also is the Pac-12 leader with 23 shots on the season and ranks third in points with nine total, averaging 1.50 per contest.
SCHEELE SHINING: Senior goalkeeper Kate Scheele recorded her first shutout of the season against Cincinnati and it was the 12th clean sheet of her career. In just her second season at CU, her 12 shutouts already is tied for fourth-most all-time.
ASSIST, KRAUSER: Senior Madi Krauser has transitioned from the attack to playing on the backline this season, however she has found herself in the mix on offense at times and has one assist thus far. Krauser's 13 career assists ranks fifth most all-time in the CU record book.
LEADING THE WAY: The Buffs rank first in the Pac-12 Conference in shots (103) and is tied for first in assists (12) while also holding a place in the top five in several other categories, including goals (11), points (34) and assists per game (2.00).
PAC-12 NETWORKS: In its fourth year, the Pac-12 Networks will air 69 women's soccer games, including nine of the Buffs' match-ups. Eight of CU's nine televised contests on the networks are conference matches. The Buffs' match against Northwestern is also part of the Pac-12 Networks line-up.
GAME PROMOTIONS: Support CU's green initiative and Ralphie's Green Stampede at Sunday's soccer match. Fans arriving early will receive an eco-friendly, reusable CU tote bag.
TICKETS: Single game tickets are $5 each. Season tickets start at just $25 for general admission and are on sale now by visiting CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS. Kids 12 and under get in for free. Also, new this year is the Women's Sports Pass, which gives you general admission seating to all home soccer, volleyball and women's basketball games for just $125. The sports pass is also available for purchase by contacting the CU ticket office to save over 50 percent off the single game price.
