Colorado University Athletics
Sunday, September 16
Boulder, CO
1:00 PM
Colorado
8-0-1
2
vs
1
Denver
3-3-2
1
2
F
Denver
0
1
1
Colorado
2
0
2
Team Stats
DEN
COLO
Goals
1
2
Shots
16
20
Shots on Goal
7
8
Saves
6
6
Corners
1
13
Fouls
9
7
Scoring Plays
Puketapu, Marty (2)
Assisted By: Groark, Emily
header off of cross from Groark
27:41
Kingsbury, Chaynee (1)
Assisted By: Geraghty, Libby
30 yard floater off of goalie's hand and
39:43
MacMillan,Camryn (3)
Assisted By: Swander,Leah
rebound off of save by goalie
66:58
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ SoccerF
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/ SoccerPhoto by: Tony Harman
Buffs Fight Past Pioneers, 2-1
September 16, 2018 | Soccer
Colorado records its first unbeaten non-conference season in program history
BOULDER—The University of Colorado soccer team accomplished something no prior team has done before. The Buffs finished the non-conference season unbeaten, closing with a hard-fought 2-1 win over instate rival Denver at Prentup Field on Sunday.
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Colorado went 8-0-1 in non-conference play. The team's nine-game unbeaten streak is tied for third in program history. Â
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HOW IT HAPPENED:Â Colorado was able to get some offense generated early on against Denver. CU's had five corner kicks in the first 26 minutes. The Buffs used those opportunities to pressure Denver's keeper Brittany Wilson early on.
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The Pioneers matched the Buffs offense early on, forcing Jalen Topkins to make three of her four saves in the first portion of the half. Her diving save through a screened shot in the 22nd minute kept the game scoreless. Â
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CU landed the first blow of the game, breaking the scoreless tie in the 28th minute. Freshman Emily Groark sent the ball across the goal box from just off the goal line. Sophomore Marty Puketapu, who celebrated a birthday on Sunday, went up and met the ball with a header just off the six-yard box. She put some force behind the ball and beat a diving Wilson for her second goal of the season.
Colorado pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute. Tatum Barton had an opportunity blocked by DU that led to a Chaynee Kingsbury throw-in. Kingsbury, known for her flip-throw, threw the ball all the way into the center of the box. The ball was softly cleared to the top of the box and intercepted by Libby Geraghty. Geraghty slipped the ball back to Kingsbury and she put the ball in off Wilson's hands and across the goal line from the tip of the Pac-12 logo.
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The Buffs carried the 2-0 lead into the half. ColoradoÂoutshot  Denver 9-7 at the break. The Pioneers held the slight advantage in shots on goal, 4-3.
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Wilson stood tall in net for DU in the second half. She made five saves in the half to keep Denver's hopes alive. Her biggest save came in the 62nd minute, guessing correctly on a penalty kick by Sarah Kinzner. Â
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Colorado's Scout Watson was equally up to the task in the Buffs' net. Watson continued her shutout streak, holding DU off the board for the first 23 minutes of the second half. Watson made a diving save to her right in the 67th minute and an unlucky bounce right to DU's Camryn MacMillan led to the Pioneers' goal.
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Colorado had its chances to add to the lead. Megan Massey fired a shot off the crossbar in the 76th minute. Puketapu had a good look in the 77th minute, but Wilson threw up her left hand and deflected the ball wide of the net.
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KEY STATISTICS:Â The Buffs totaled a season-high 13 corner kicks. The Pioneers registered just one corner kick in the entire game, getting their chance early in the second half.Â
BY THE NUMBERS:
Colorado
Goals:Â 2
Shots:Â 20
Fouls:Â 7
Saves:Â 6
Denver
Goals:Â 1
Shots:Â 16
Fouls:Â 9
Saves:Â 6
UP NEXT:Â Colorado opens Pac-12 play on the road next week at Oregon State (Sept. 21). The game is set for a 5 p.m., kickoff and will be on the Pac-12 Network.
NOTES: The 8-0-1 start to the season is the team's best in program history (lost first game of the season in 2003 and then won next 11) ... Colorado improves to 2-0 in one-goal games this season … Kingsbury's goal was the first of her collegiate career … she becomes Colorado's 10th different goal-scorer this season  … Groark's assist was her sixth of the season … Watson's shutout streak ended at 338:42.Â
QUOTABLE:
Head Coach Danny Sanchez
On overall performance
"We started well. We created chances and had great movement. We scored a great first goal, maybe the best goal of the season. Emily [Groark] to Mary [Puketapu] on her birthday. That was great. We got a little fortunate on the second goal to be up 2-0. We knew DU was going to come back. We needed to find that third goal and obviously their goalkeeper was fantastic. She made a couple saves to keep them in it. Scout [Watson] makes a great save and unfortunately the rebound goes out to one of the Denver players and we had to scrap it out and the end. I am real proud of the group. Everyone is stepping up, playing different roles and positions. This [DU] is a team that will be in the NCAA Tournament. Anytime you play Denver, this is what the game is going to be." Â Â Â Â
On heading into Pac-12 play
"You want to have momentum going into Pac-12 play. So, we have good momentum. Conference play is a whole different deal. These nine games were great, but these next 11 games will really show what we are all about."
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On different players contributing
"We know Marty is quality. She didn't lead the team in scoring for nothing last year. She was very good today. Not just the goal she scored today, but her work-rate off the ball was fantastic. She was maybe unlucky to not get another goal.
Â
Chaynee  was playing a different position. She was maybe a little fortunate on the goal, but if you don't kick it at the goal it is not going to go in. I think that was a big moment for us because of the saves DU made in the second half. I think 2-0 gave us a little breathing room to gut  it out at the end. "
Sophomore Marty Puketapu
On scoring on her birthday
"It was the best feeling. I can't even describe it. I was like 'I have to get a goal.' I got one and honestly, I was on the verge of tears. I was so happy that I got it."
Â
On intensity of the game
"It was crazy. We know both teams were going to bring the energy into this game. It is such a rivalry. We were excited because we knew it was going to be such a battle. We knew we had to bring the fight. We knew it was going to be tough. We brought it today and gave it everything and we are just so happy with the result."
Â
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Colorado went 8-0-1 in non-conference play. The team's nine-game unbeaten streak is tied for third in program history. Â
Â
HOW IT HAPPENED:Â Colorado was able to get some offense generated early on against Denver. CU's had five corner kicks in the first 26 minutes. The Buffs used those opportunities to pressure Denver's keeper Brittany Wilson early on.
Â
The Pioneers matched the Buffs offense early on, forcing Jalen Topkins to make three of her four saves in the first portion of the half. Her diving save through a screened shot in the 22nd minute kept the game scoreless. Â
Â
CU landed the first blow of the game, breaking the scoreless tie in the 28th minute. Freshman Emily Groark sent the ball across the goal box from just off the goal line. Sophomore Marty Puketapu, who celebrated a birthday on Sunday, went up and met the ball with a header just off the six-yard box. She put some force behind the ball and beat a diving Wilson for her second goal of the season.
Colorado pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute. Tatum Barton had an opportunity blocked by DU that led to a Chaynee Kingsbury throw-in. Kingsbury, known for her flip-throw, threw the ball all the way into the center of the box. The ball was softly cleared to the top of the box and intercepted by Libby Geraghty. Geraghty slipped the ball back to Kingsbury and she put the ball in off Wilson's hands and across the goal line from the tip of the Pac-12 logo.
Â
The Buffs carried the 2-0 lead into the half. ColoradoÂ
Â
Wilson stood tall in net for DU in the second half. She made five saves in the half to keep Denver's hopes alive. Her biggest save came in the 62nd minute, guessing correctly on a penalty kick by Sarah Kinzner. Â
Â
Colorado's Scout Watson was equally up to the task in the Buffs' net. Watson continued her shutout streak, holding DU off the board for the first 23 minutes of the second half. Watson made a diving save to her right in the 67th minute and an unlucky bounce right to DU's Camryn MacMillan led to the Pioneers' goal.
Â
Colorado had its chances to add to the lead. Megan Massey fired a shot off the crossbar in the 76th minute. Puketapu had a good look in the 77th minute, but Wilson threw up her left hand and deflected the ball wide of the net.
Â
KEY STATISTICS:Â The Buffs totaled a season-high 13 corner kicks. The Pioneers registered just one corner kick in the entire game, getting their chance early in the second half.Â
BY THE NUMBERS:
Colorado
Goals:Â 2
Shots:Â 20
Fouls:Â 7
Saves:Â 6
Denver
Goals:Â 1
Shots:Â 16
Fouls:Â 9
Saves:Â 6
UP NEXT:Â Colorado opens Pac-12 play on the road next week at Oregon State (Sept. 21). The game is set for a 5 p.m., kickoff and will be on the Pac-12 Network.
NOTES: The 8-0-1 start to the season is the team's best in program history (lost first game of the season in 2003 and then won next 11) ... Colorado improves to 2-0 in one-goal games this season … Kingsbury's goal was the first of her collegiate career … she becomes Colorado's 10th different goal-scorer this season  … Groark's assist was her sixth of the season … Watson's shutout streak ended at 338:42.Â
QUOTABLE:
Head Coach Danny Sanchez
On overall performance
"We started well. We created chances and had great movement. We scored a great first goal, maybe the best goal of the season. Emily [Groark] to Mary [Puketapu] on her birthday. That was great. We got a little fortunate on the second goal to be up 2-0. We knew DU was going to come back. We needed to find that third goal and obviously their goalkeeper was fantastic. She made a couple saves to keep them in it. Scout [Watson] makes a great save and unfortunately the rebound goes out to one of the Denver players and we had to scrap it out and the end. I am real proud of the group. Everyone is stepping up, playing different roles and positions. This [DU] is a team that will be in the NCAA Tournament. Anytime you play Denver, this is what the game is going to be." Â Â Â Â
On heading into Pac-12 play
"You want to have momentum going into Pac-12 play. So, we have good momentum. Conference play is a whole different deal. These nine games were great, but these next 11 games will really show what we are all about."
Â
On different players contributing
"We know Marty is quality. She didn't lead the team in scoring for nothing last year. She was very good today. Not just the goal she scored today, but her work-rate off the ball was fantastic. She was maybe unlucky to not get another goal.
Â
Chaynee  was playing a different position. She was maybe a little fortunate on the goal, but if you don't kick it at the goal it is not going to go in. I think that was a big moment for us because of the saves DU made in the second half. I think 2-0 gave us a little breathing room to gut  it out at the end. "
Sophomore Marty Puketapu
On scoring on her birthday
"It was the best feeling. I can't even describe it. I was like 'I have to get a goal.' I got one and honestly, I was on the verge of tears. I was so happy that I got it."
Â
On intensity of the game
"It was crazy. We know both teams were going to bring the energy into this game. It is such a rivalry. We were excited because we knew it was going to be such a battle. We knew we had to bring the fight. We knew it was going to be tough. We brought it today and gave it everything and we are just so happy with the result."
Â
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