Buffs Upset No. 14 Cal 2-1 In Double Overtime

BOULDER – Senior Emily Paxton came through in the clutch for the University of Colorado soccer team on Sunday, scoring the game-winning goal in the 106th minute to defeat No. 14 California 2-1 at Prentup Field.

The Buffaloes, winners of two straight, improved to 7-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in Pac-12 play. California had its eight-game unbeaten streak snapped while dropping to 6-2-2 and 0-1-0 in conference.

"I think Cal is a very good team," said Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez. "Credit to our players; I felt that even when the game stretched we kept working hard and made the plays when we needed to. It's a game that could have gone either way, but at home with a good crowd, this is a game that we needed to get results out of."

Each team exchanged multiple scoring opportunities in the first half, however neither squad would find the back of the net until just before halftime. In the 13th minute, senior Madi Krauser had a chance after the Buffs switched the field and found Krauser on the right side. She weaved past a few defenders and fired a shot, but Cal goalkeeper Emily Boyd was able to make the save. The Buffs would continue to pressure the Bears' defense and less than two minutes later junior Brie Hooks found space and launched a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that went wide right. California responded with back-to-back shots in the 15th and 17th minutes. Forward Celeste Boureille's bounced off the crossbar and Arielle Ship's sailed too far left.

With halftime approaching, the first goal of the match came from California junior Lynsey Hromatko at 37:51 to give the Bears a 1-0 advantage. Kelly Fitzgerald took the Cal corner kick and Colorado goalkeeper Kate Scheele got one hand on the ball to make the initial save, but Hromtako was there to clean it up, putting it past Scheele for her first goal of the season.

The Bears' lead would be short-lived though as sophomore Brittney Stark scored the equalizer moments later at the 39:06 mark. Paxton won the ball at midfield, she found Hooks, who then sent a cross left to right and Stark put it home, recording her third goal of the year and tying it at 1-1.

Although California finished with an 18-15 shot advantage, the Buffs put seven of their shots on goal compared to the Bears' four. Scheele made three saves and Boyd finished with five saves. Colorado's two goals ended Boyd's four-straight shutout streak, which lasted more than 470 minutes.

In the second half, Cal recorded twice as many shots as Colorado (10-5), but the CU backline stepped up to keep the Bears' attack from tallying another goal and held Cal's leading-scorer Arielle Ship in check throughout the entire match. She finished with five shots, but none on frame.

In the closing seconds of regulation, Hooks attempted to end it, sending a rocket toward Boyd, who was forced to jump and tip it over the crossbar.

Once overtime arrived, Colorado kept pressuring, leading to Paxton's first career game-winner with less than five minutes to play in the second overtime period. The Buffs earned their fourth corner kick of overtime and sophomore Joss Orejel placed the ball perfectly on the back post, where Paxton was there to head it in past a diving Boyd to send CU home with its first win over Cal in its last four meetings.

"These are the games that we should win," said Paxton. "At home, we have the fans, great support, we are on our home field—and these are just ones, and if we're talking about the tournament, then we have to win these ones."

The Buffaloes will return to action next weekend with two conference road matches. Colorado faces Oregon on Friday, Oct. 2 and then close out the trip against Oregon State on Sunday, Oct. 4.

Next Event

Team Stats

Emily Paxton

Brittney Stark

Brie Hooks

Joss Orejel

Players Mentioned

Brie Hooks

Joss Orejel

Emily Paxton

Kate Scheele

Brittney Stark

Players Mentioned

Brie Hooks

Joss Orejel

Emily Paxton

Kate Scheele

Brittney Stark