Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Wrap Up Spring Season With 4-0-2 Record
April 28, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER – Colorado's soccer team wrapped up its spring season this past weekend with two matches in Nebraska.
The Buffaloes finished the spring with a 4-0-2 record, defeating Air Force, Denver, Colorado College and Nebraska, and tying Northern Colorado and South Dakota State. In all, CU outscored its opponents 9-4.
“Overall we feel this was a very productive spring,” head coach Danny Sanchez said. “Our 15 players played a lot of minutes and really competed. We are pleased with the individual development of each player and are very excited for preseason to start in August.”
Erin Greening led the team with three goals, followed by two each from Danica Evans, and Stephanie Zuniga. Sarah Kinzner and Joss Orejel each scored as well and Evans also had two assists.
The spring started with a doubleheader on April 3 at Prentup Field. CU earned a 1-0 win over Air Force in the morning behind a second-half score by Greening that was headed into the goal after a cross from Orejel. Goalkeeper Jalen Tompkins made several big saves in the second half, though CU had several other scoring chances that were left on the field.
The Buffs tied Northern Colorado 1-1 later that day. Evans scored CU's lone goal in the second half after Hogg served a ball into the box to Evans.
The spring continued the following Saturday on April 9 with two morning games at the University of Denver. CU topped DU 2-1 in its first game. Greening scored both goals, the first coming late in the first half to tie the game. Evans took the ball from midfield to the end line and crossed it in to Greening for the score. Her second goal came early in the second half on a shot from 25 yards out.
The second game was a 1-0 win against Colorado College as the Buffs were conditioned enough for the win, despite little rest time between matches. Kinzner scored the game's only goal about 10 minutes into the second half off a cross from Zuniga.
The Buffs traveled to Lincoln, Neb., this past Saturday for a night match at Nebraska, which turned into a 3-1 win over the Cornhuskers. Evans gave CU an early lead with a blast from 40 yards out, but Nebraska tied it up 1-1 heading into halftime. Zuniga scored twice in the second half to give CU the win. Her first goal was set up by Evans and the second by Huynh.
Sunday's match was a 1-1 tie with South Dakota State. Orejel scored less than 10 minutes into the game, but that was it for CU offensively. The junior-to-be defender dibbled into the box and got a clean shot off for the goal. SDSU tied the game in the second half on a late penalty kick.
The first four matches of the spring were played under modified rules to cut back on headers, with the goal of lowering the number of head injuries.
“I want to publically thank Air Force, Colorado College, Denver and Northern Colorado for participating in the modified heading rules for our matches,” Sanchez said. “We got some great feedback from all the players and coaches involved. As I have spoken with more coaches around the country, I think there is some real interest in finding out what kind of feedback we received. Also, they have interest in potentially incorporating something similar in their spring seasons.”
Below is a recap of each game:
April 3 vs. Air Force (at Prentup Field)
Starting XI: Watson, Hogg, Kraus, Vidger, Orejel, Stanton, Huynh, Kinzner, Zuniga, Evans, Greening
Goals: Greening (Orejel) in 57'
|
Air Force |
0 |
0- |
0 |
|
Colorado |
0 |
1- |
1 |
April 3 vs. Northern Colorado (at Prentup Field)
Starting XI: Tompkins, Hogg, Kraus, Vidger, Fedor, Stanton, Huynh, Best, Kinzner, Evans, Greening
Goals: Evans (Hogg) in 54'
|
Northern Colorado |
0 |
1- |
1 |
|
Colorado |
0 |
1- |
1 |
April 9 at Denver (at Denver, Colo.)
Starting XI: Tompkins, Fedor, Kraus, Vidger, Orejel, Stanton, Huynh, Kinzner, Hogg, Zuniga, Evans
Goals: Greening (Evans) in 35', Greening (unassisted) in 48'
|
Colorado |
1 |
1- |
2 |
|
Denver |
1 |
0- |
1 |
April 9 vs. Colorado College (at Denver, Colo.)
Starting XI: Watson, Hogg, Kraus, Vidger, Orejel, Stanton, Kinzner, Best, Evans, Zuniga, Greening
Goals: Kinzner (Zuniga) in 55'
|
Colorado |
0 |
1- |
1 |
|
Colorado College |
0 |
0- |
0 |
April 23 at Nebraska (at Lincoln, Neb.)
Starting XI: Watson, Hogg, Kraus, Vidger, Orejel, Stanton, Kinzner, Best, Zuniga, Evans, Greening
Goals: Evans (unassisted) in 14', Zuniga (Evans) in 52', Zuniga (Huynh) in 66'
|
Colorado |
1 |
2- |
3 |
|
Nebraska |
1 |
0- |
1 |
April 24 vs. South Dakota State (at Lincoln, Neb.)
Starting XI: Tompkins, Fedor, Kraus, Vidger, Orejel, Stanton, Hogg, Kinzner, Tillitt, Zuniga, Evans
Goals: Orejel (unassisted) in 9'
|
Colorado |
1 |
0- |
1 |
|
South Dakota State |
0 |
1- |
1 |
