Colorado University Athletics
Top 20 Soccer Moments: No. 5
October 17, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER – In 2012 head coach Danny Sanchez took over a women's soccer program that had spent the first decade of the new millennium building a tradition of success both during the regular and post seasons. But when Sanchez took over the head job CU hadn't made a trip to the NCAA tournament since 2008.
That changed quickly under Sanchez and in 2013 the Buffs returned to the tournament, but CU didn't just return and bow out, instead they advanced to the third round for only the second time in school history, and first since 2006, beating both Denver and BYU on their way to the Sweet 16.
While the Buffs didn't stand out during conference season, going 4-5-2 in the Pac-12, their overall record of 14-7-2 was good enough for a spot in the big dance and a first round trip down to Denver to take on the then-ranked No. 15 Denver Pioneers.
CU entered the match not playing in top form, the Buffs had been winless in their final four games of the season, but once making the postseason they were able to put their regular season finish behind them. And as CU took the field, in front of 1,394 fans, they weren't only looking to win their first NCAA Tournament match since 2007, but they were trying to get the programs' first ever win against the Pioneers.
The two teams traded possession through the first half, and at halftime the match was scoreless. Statistically the teams were just about even when it was time for the break, with the Buffs holding a slight advantage in shots six to four. And CU was able to get two shots on goal, while Denver wasn't able to get the ball on net through the first half.
In the second things seemed to stay about the same, both teams playing back and forth looking to pull off the dramatic late win. Senior goalkeeper Annie Brunner, who hadn't been tested in the first half, came up big in the second half recording three saves to maintain the clean sheet. Giving freshman Brie Hooks a chance to get involved in the game late.
In the 84th minute, Hooks fought for possession just outside the left side of the box and she was able to draw a foul. That's when senior Anne Stuller stepped up to the ball with a late chance for the Buffs. Stuller, who lead the Buffs in goals that season (9), didn't hesitate to send CU into the next round. Launching the ball over the wall and past the keeper to give CU the late lead which they would hold for the final six minutes.
The win meant it was on to Tallahassee, Florida and a match up with the then-ranked No. 19 BYU Cougars and a chance to move into the Sweet 16.
Unlike the previous match, the Buffs didn't waste time during the first half jumping on the Cougars twice in the half. Sophomore Emily Paxton and junior Carly Bolyard each scored in the first half giving the Buffs a 2-0 lead going into the locker room.
Paxton's goal was off a corner kick, and was assisted by Stuller who sent the corner towards the near post. Paxton was able to play it towards the far post, and it deflected into the net off of a BYU defender to give CU the lead in the 21st minute.
Bolyard threw her name in the hat during the 34th minute when her shot from 18 yards out wasn't handled by the BYU goalie. The ball rolled past the keeper, giving the Buffs a comfortable two goal lead heading into the break.
BYU wasn't just sitting back and letting the Buffs dictate the match. On the contrary BYU outshot CU in both periods giving the Cougars a 17 to 11 shot advantage after the match was over. CU's defense, however, was able to control the box only allowing six of the 17 to get on net making it as easy as possible for Brunner.
BYU's aggressiveness did pay off in the 59th minute when they were able to get one by Brunner on a one-timer from 10 yards out. But the Buffs were able to lock it down during the final third of the match, allowing only one shot on goal and blocking a shot late in the last five minutes of the match. The win set up a Sweet 16 match with then-ranked No. 3 Florida State.
CU's magical run unfortunately came to an end at the hand of the Seminoles, dropping the match 4-0 to end the season. But the run had shown that the Buffs were back, and going forward they would be yet again a force on the national stage.
The Top 20 Moments of Colorado soccer will be revealed throughout the season as 2016 marks the 20th Anniversary of the first year of the program. Two will be announced per week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Top 20 Moments
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. Reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2013 with wins over Denver and BYU
6. Big 12 Tournament finalists in 2005, 2006 and 2008
7. Snow Clasico 2 - CU beats BYU in the NCAA Tournament in a snowstorm
8. CU breaks attendance record against defending national champion North Carolina in 1998
9. Nikki Marshall's legacy beyond CU
10. Fran Munnelly earns Big 12 Player of the Year
11. Sloane Cox breaks Big 12 saves record
12. Shawn Kenyon scores first goal in school history
13. First Pac-12 win
14. First win over a ranked Pac-12 opponent
15. Buffs knock off No. 5 Texas A&M for win over highest-ranked opponent
16. CU moves into Prentup Field, a home for Buffs soccer
17. Nikki Marshall's success with the USWNT
18. CU's first Big 12 Tournament win in 2002
19. First NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003
20. Colorado announces the addition of women's soccer as a varsity sport on Aug. 14, 1993
That changed quickly under Sanchez and in 2013 the Buffs returned to the tournament, but CU didn't just return and bow out, instead they advanced to the third round for only the second time in school history, and first since 2006, beating both Denver and BYU on their way to the Sweet 16.
While the Buffs didn't stand out during conference season, going 4-5-2 in the Pac-12, their overall record of 14-7-2 was good enough for a spot in the big dance and a first round trip down to Denver to take on the then-ranked No. 15 Denver Pioneers.
CU entered the match not playing in top form, the Buffs had been winless in their final four games of the season, but once making the postseason they were able to put their regular season finish behind them. And as CU took the field, in front of 1,394 fans, they weren't only looking to win their first NCAA Tournament match since 2007, but they were trying to get the programs' first ever win against the Pioneers.
The two teams traded possession through the first half, and at halftime the match was scoreless. Statistically the teams were just about even when it was time for the break, with the Buffs holding a slight advantage in shots six to four. And CU was able to get two shots on goal, while Denver wasn't able to get the ball on net through the first half.
In the second things seemed to stay about the same, both teams playing back and forth looking to pull off the dramatic late win. Senior goalkeeper Annie Brunner, who hadn't been tested in the first half, came up big in the second half recording three saves to maintain the clean sheet. Giving freshman Brie Hooks a chance to get involved in the game late.
In the 84th minute, Hooks fought for possession just outside the left side of the box and she was able to draw a foul. That's when senior Anne Stuller stepped up to the ball with a late chance for the Buffs. Stuller, who lead the Buffs in goals that season (9), didn't hesitate to send CU into the next round. Launching the ball over the wall and past the keeper to give CU the late lead which they would hold for the final six minutes.
The win meant it was on to Tallahassee, Florida and a match up with the then-ranked No. 19 BYU Cougars and a chance to move into the Sweet 16.
Unlike the previous match, the Buffs didn't waste time during the first half jumping on the Cougars twice in the half. Sophomore Emily Paxton and junior Carly Bolyard each scored in the first half giving the Buffs a 2-0 lead going into the locker room.
Paxton's goal was off a corner kick, and was assisted by Stuller who sent the corner towards the near post. Paxton was able to play it towards the far post, and it deflected into the net off of a BYU defender to give CU the lead in the 21st minute.
Bolyard threw her name in the hat during the 34th minute when her shot from 18 yards out wasn't handled by the BYU goalie. The ball rolled past the keeper, giving the Buffs a comfortable two goal lead heading into the break.
BYU wasn't just sitting back and letting the Buffs dictate the match. On the contrary BYU outshot CU in both periods giving the Cougars a 17 to 11 shot advantage after the match was over. CU's defense, however, was able to control the box only allowing six of the 17 to get on net making it as easy as possible for Brunner.
BYU's aggressiveness did pay off in the 59th minute when they were able to get one by Brunner on a one-timer from 10 yards out. But the Buffs were able to lock it down during the final third of the match, allowing only one shot on goal and blocking a shot late in the last five minutes of the match. The win set up a Sweet 16 match with then-ranked No. 3 Florida State.
CU's magical run unfortunately came to an end at the hand of the Seminoles, dropping the match 4-0 to end the season. But the run had shown that the Buffs were back, and going forward they would be yet again a force on the national stage.
The Top 20 Moments of Colorado soccer will be revealed throughout the season as 2016 marks the 20th Anniversary of the first year of the program. Two will be announced per week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Top 20 Moments
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. Reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2013 with wins over Denver and BYU
6. Big 12 Tournament finalists in 2005, 2006 and 2008
7. Snow Clasico 2 - CU beats BYU in the NCAA Tournament in a snowstorm
8. CU breaks attendance record against defending national champion North Carolina in 1998
9. Nikki Marshall's legacy beyond CU
10. Fran Munnelly earns Big 12 Player of the Year
11. Sloane Cox breaks Big 12 saves record
12. Shawn Kenyon scores first goal in school history
13. First Pac-12 win
14. First win over a ranked Pac-12 opponent
15. Buffs knock off No. 5 Texas A&M for win over highest-ranked opponent
16. CU moves into Prentup Field, a home for Buffs soccer
17. Nikki Marshall's success with the USWNT
18. CU's first Big 12 Tournament win in 2002
19. First NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003
20. Colorado announces the addition of women's soccer as a varsity sport on Aug. 14, 1993
Players Mentioned
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