No. 16 Colorado Extends Unbeaten Streak to 15

BOULDER—The No. 16 Colorado women's soccer team tied its longest unbeaten streak in program history with its 4-1 win over Oregon on Saturday.

The Buffaloes' streak is now at 15 games, improving to 12-0-3 on the season and 4-0-2 in the Pac-12 Conference. Oregon falls to 7-6-1 overall and 1-5-0 in the conference.

The 2003 Buffaloes totaled a 15-game unbeaten streak after dropping their first contest of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The two sides played up and down the field in the early portion of the match, with each team looking to establish control.

The first break of the afternoon went in favor of the Buffs. Oregon was whistled for a handball inside the box, awarding Colorado a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. Head coach Danny Sanchez elected for junior Taylor Kornieck to step up and take the kick. She was calm under pressure and placed the ball in the lower left corner of the net, giving the Buffs a 1-0 advantage.

Colorado did not waste any time getting back on the scoreboard. Just as they have done all-season Colorado kept the pressure on the Ducks and found the back of the net again the 37th minute. Junior Stephanie Zuniga sent a perfect ball into Marty Puketapu who finished with a header from the six, resulting in the eventual game-winning goal.

Colorado's first-half scoring was not complete. The Buffs caught another break after Oregon was again whistled for a foul in the box. Again, Kornieck was called upon to take the penalty kick. Oregon goalkeeper Halla Hinriksdottir dove to her left and Kornieck's shot went opposite, giving CU a 3-0 lead at the half.

Oregon got one back in the 61st minute. Chardonnay Curran headed the ball and sent it back across the net, beating Scout Watson.

Colorado returned the favor in the 69th minute. Libby Geraghty and Chaynee Kingsbury teamed up for the final tally of the afternoon. Kingsbury found Geraghty with a cross and Geraghty completed the play with a diving header, scoring her first career goal.

Jalen Tompkins started the game in net for Colorado. She made two saves in the first half before giving way to Watson.

KEY STATISTIC: Colorado was the beneficiary of key fouls against the Ducks. Oregon was whistled for 12 fouls in all, including a yellow card. CU was called for nine fouls in the game.

BY THE NUMBERS:
Colorado
Goals: 4
Shots: 16
Fouls: 9
Saves: 3

Oregon
Goals: 1
Shots: 11
Fouls: 12
Saves: 7

UP NEXT: Colorado takes to the road for the final time in Pac-12 play. The Buffs will be at California (Oct. 18) and at No. 1 Stanford (Oct. 21.)

NOTES: Kornieck's two penalty kick goals was the first time Colorado had scored two PK goals in the same game since 2002…Kornieck moved into sole possession of fourth on CU's all-time points list now with 65…she is also fifth in career goals, now with 24…Tompkins gets credit for the win, marking the 36th of her career. She is now one win shy of tying Jessica Keller for the school record…Colorado has scored 43 goals this season, tied for the second-most in program history.

QUOTABLE:
Head Coach Danny Sanchez
On overall performance
"I thought our movement was very good. I thought we were playing on the front-foot. On the first goal—yeah it was a penalty—but Taylor [Kornieck] created it by putting pressure on their defenders. I thought the second goal was quality. It was a great serve from Stephanie [Zuniga] and a great finish from Marty [Puketapu]. Marty has been training really well so it was great for her to get in and get a goal. The third goal—once again Libby [Geraghty] created it—taking people on and Taylor buried it. I was a little disappointed to give up the one goal, but Oregon is a good team. They are going to score. I was really pleased with how we bounced back. It was a great finish by Libby off a nice assist from Chaynee [Kingsbury]. It was a really good win for us against a very good team today."

On the play of CU's defense
"I thought they played well today. We gave up the one, but it was off the second phase of a set piece. That is something that we can coach through. Overall, our shape was good. Jesse [Loren], Kayleigh [Webb} and Nancy [Best], when she stepped in, was very good. Erin [Greening] was fantastic today. I thought Sophia [Weiner] and Gabby Chappa were both very good as well.."

Junior Taylor Kornieck
On overall team play
"I think we just came out well. I think with it being our Pink Game—we are in new jerseys—we all got a lot of confidence from that. We just started playing well together."

On taking the penalty kicks
"I have been taking the PK's since freshman year. It was pretty shocking as a freshman to go out and take that first one. I've built a lot of confidence from every PK that I have taken. It just means a lot to get the opportunity to take those for my team."

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Team Stats

Taylor Kornieck

Marty Puketapu

Libby Geraghty

Chaynee Kingsbury

Players Mentioned

Libby Geraghty

Chaynee Kingsbury

Taylor Kornieck

Marty Puketapu

Jalen Tompkins

Scout Watson

Stephanie Zuniga

Players Mentioned

Libby Geraghty

Chaynee Kingsbury

Taylor Kornieck

Marty Puketapu

Jalen Tompkins

Scout Watson

Stephanie Zuniga