Buffs Close the Non-Conference Season at Home

Thursday, September 13

Boulder, CO

3:30 PM

Colorado

Utah Valley

Tickets

Photo by: Dan Madden

September 12, 2018 | Soccer

Game Notes (PDF)Tickets

Colorado hosts Utah Valley and Denver

By: Seth Pringle, Assistant SID

BOULDER – The University of Colorado soccer team returns to Prentup Field this week for its final two non-conference games. The Buffaloes will host Utah Valley on Thursday (3:30 p.m. MT) and in-state rival Denver on Sunday (1 p.m. MT).

Colorado is off to a hot start at 6-0-1 on the season. The team's current seven-game unbeaten streak is the longest the program has put together to start a season and is tied for the fifth longest in program history. The team's early success can be attributed to its ability to score early and often.

The Buffs rank second in the NCAA in points per game, averaging 9.57. The team is also second in the nation in assists (25) and assists per game (3.57). Colorado leads the Pac-12 with 21 total goals this season, ranking ninth in the NCAA. CU also comes in ninth in the nation, averaging 3.0 goals per game.

Head coach Danny Sanchez attributes the offensive numbers to the team's mindset this season.

"I think we come out with the right mindset right off the bat," he said following Sunday's win 3-0 win at Michigan State. "We want to attack. We want good chances. We want to put ourselves in dangerous spots."

Colorado is also sprinkled across the NCAA individual rankings. Junior Tatum Barton leads the nation with 1.14 goals per game and is fourth with a career-high 17 points. She scored two more goals against Michigan State to give her eight on the season (3rd NCAA). She is the quickest Buff to hit the eight-goal mark, doing so in just seven games. Junior Taylor Kornieck leads the Pac-12 with her six assists (2nd NCAA). Freshman Emily Groark is 25th in the NCAA with 0.67 assists per game.

Not to be outdone, the Buffs' defensive corps has also been solid this season. Colorado has allowed just two goals this season. The team ranks 10th in the NCAA with a Pac-12 best .277 goals against average. Goalkeepers Jalen Tompkins and Scout Watson have combined for a .931 save percentage, good for seventh in the nation.

Pac-12 Players of the Week: Colorado received two conference honors on Tuesday. Barton and Kelsey Aaknes were named the Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively. Barton earned her second honor of the season after scoring two goals at Michigan State. Aaknes picked up the assist on the game-winning goal at Marquette on Thursday. She also helped keep the Spartans off the board in Sunday's 3-0 win at Michigan State.

About Utah Valley: The Wolverines enter the game with a 1-6-1 record. UVU had a pair of one-goal losses last week, losing 2-1 to Portland and Washington. Sadie Brockbank leads the team with four points (1 G, 2 A). Thursday will be the first meeting between the two schools.

About Denver: The Pioneers are 3-2-2 on the season. DU is currently on a four-game unbeaten streak, coming off a 1-0 double-overtime win over Eastern Washington. Goalkeeper Brittany Wilson is among the top goalies in the Summit League. She second in goals-against average (.787) and save percentage (.850).

Thursday's game against Utah Valley is $1 hot dog day.

Sunday vs. Denver is the Chip's Kids Club game. Kids 8th grade and under can enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, a scavenger hunt, yard games, sign making, crafts and more! Activates will begin at noon. For more information about kids events and Chip's Kids Club visit CUBuffs.com/community or email chipskidsclub@colorado.edu