Colorado University Athletics
Top 20 Soccer Moments: No. 1
October 31, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER – In soccer the success of a program can be ranked by the amount of silverware that the program has won. In 2003 the Buffs raised the programs first piece of silverware, winning the 2003 Big 12 regular season title.
The Buffs finished the regular season 15-4-1 (8-1-1 Big 12) and they held first place in the Big 12 starting from Oct. 5, and they never came close to releasing the grip they had on the rest of their conference foes. The season had in it what is still the longest unbeaten streak in Buffs history, and CU swept the Big 12 postseason award honors to cap off what was a historic season. But starting on Aug. 29, the Buffs' historic season started off on the wrong foot.
Hosting the defending national champion and second ranked Portland, CU dug in deep, showing flashes of the season to come. Holding the reigning champs scoreless until the 87th minute, before giving up a goal and dropping the match 1-0.
From there the Buffs realized despite the loss, that they might have something special on their hands. And three days later against the Georgia Bulldogs, CU began what is still the longest unbeaten streak in school history.
They won 2-1 in overtime against the Bulldogs, and they didn't lose again for 15 matches. Finally dropping a match on Oct. 26, to Texas A & M 2-0. During that streak the Buffs scored 35 goals, while only conceding six goals to their opponents. The streak was highlighted by a 6-0 shellacking of Minnesota in Boulder. And a big 5-1 conference road win against Texas Tech on Oct. 3, midway through the season.
But it was a road match, on Oct. 5, against Baylor where the Buffs took first place in the Big 12 standings, winning 2-0 against the Bears. For the rest of the season they never came close to giving back their lead. And on Oct. 26, even following the loss to Texas A & M, CU officially clinched the Big 12 regular season title. They followed that clinching news up with a 3-1 win in Boulder against traditional rival Nebraska, to finish up what had been the most successful regular season in school history.
When the season was finally over, and the postseason awards were handed out, CU had swept all three major categories. Head coach Bill Hempen won Big 12 Coach of the Year, sophomore Fran Munnelly won Big 12 Player of the Year, and Katie Griffin was named Big 12 Rookie of the Year.
Nine Buffs were named to three All-Big 12 teams, with Munnelly being named to the first team. Sophomore Tricia Regan, freshman Laura Munnelly, and Griffin earned second team honors. The all-newcomer team was also sprinkled with Buffs, as Griffin, Laura Munnelly, freshman Maddy Minnis, and sophomores Jessica Keller and Kathryn Grandinetti were all named to the team.
Following in the line of firsts, the Buffs also earned their first ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Based off of the great season that CU had just had.
Although the postseason successes didn't follow suit with their regular season, the Buffs dropped their Big 12 Championship match and they dropped their first round NCAA Tournament match, the season had been historic none the less.
2003 was a season that was the foundation that led directly to CU's successes in the following seasons, and it kicked started six straight seasons where the Buffs made it to the NCAA Tournament. It's a season that hasn't been forgotten as the championship banner is hung proudly at Prentup Field, and the banner sits waiting for additional silverware to be added to CU's collection.
The Top 20 Moments of Colorado soccer have been revealed throughout the season as 2016 marks the 20th Anniversary of the first year of the program.
Top 20 Moments
1. CU's 2003 Big 12 championship season
2. Buffs top LSU for first win in program history
3. CU rallies from two-goal deficit to upset No. 11 Texas A&M in Big 12 semifinals
4. CU's First Sweet Sixteen Appearance In 2006
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
The Buffs finished the regular season 15-4-1 (8-1-1 Big 12) and they held first place in the Big 12 starting from Oct. 5, and they never came close to releasing the grip they had on the rest of their conference foes. The season had in it what is still the longest unbeaten streak in Buffs history, and CU swept the Big 12 postseason award honors to cap off what was a historic season. But starting on Aug. 29, the Buffs' historic season started off on the wrong foot.
Hosting the defending national champion and second ranked Portland, CU dug in deep, showing flashes of the season to come. Holding the reigning champs scoreless until the 87th minute, before giving up a goal and dropping the match 1-0.
From there the Buffs realized despite the loss, that they might have something special on their hands. And three days later against the Georgia Bulldogs, CU began what is still the longest unbeaten streak in school history.
They won 2-1 in overtime against the Bulldogs, and they didn't lose again for 15 matches. Finally dropping a match on Oct. 26, to Texas A & M 2-0. During that streak the Buffs scored 35 goals, while only conceding six goals to their opponents. The streak was highlighted by a 6-0 shellacking of Minnesota in Boulder. And a big 5-1 conference road win against Texas Tech on Oct. 3, midway through the season.
But it was a road match, on Oct. 5, against Baylor where the Buffs took first place in the Big 12 standings, winning 2-0 against the Bears. For the rest of the season they never came close to giving back their lead. And on Oct. 26, even following the loss to Texas A & M, CU officially clinched the Big 12 regular season title. They followed that clinching news up with a 3-1 win in Boulder against traditional rival Nebraska, to finish up what had been the most successful regular season in school history.
When the season was finally over, and the postseason awards were handed out, CU had swept all three major categories. Head coach Bill Hempen won Big 12 Coach of the Year, sophomore Fran Munnelly won Big 12 Player of the Year, and Katie Griffin was named Big 12 Rookie of the Year.
Nine Buffs were named to three All-Big 12 teams, with Munnelly being named to the first team. Sophomore Tricia Regan, freshman Laura Munnelly, and Griffin earned second team honors. The all-newcomer team was also sprinkled with Buffs, as Griffin, Laura Munnelly, freshman Maddy Minnis, and sophomores Jessica Keller and Kathryn Grandinetti were all named to the team.
Following in the line of firsts, the Buffs also earned their first ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Based off of the great season that CU had just had.
Although the postseason successes didn't follow suit with their regular season, the Buffs dropped their Big 12 Championship match and they dropped their first round NCAA Tournament match, the season had been historic none the less.
2003 was a season that was the foundation that led directly to CU's successes in the following seasons, and it kicked started six straight seasons where the Buffs made it to the NCAA Tournament. It's a season that hasn't been forgotten as the championship banner is hung proudly at Prentup Field, and the banner sits waiting for additional silverware to be added to CU's collection.
The Top 20 Moments of Colorado soccer have been revealed throughout the season as 2016 marks the 20th Anniversary of the first year of the program.
Top 20 Moments
1. CU's 2003 Big 12 championship season
2. Buffs top LSU for first win in program history
3. CU rallies from two-goal deficit to upset No. 11 Texas A&M in Big 12 semifinals
4. CU's First Sweet Sixteen Appearance In 2006
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
Monday, April 06
Tuesday, November 25
Thursday, November 20
Thursday, November 20