Buffs Take Unbeaten Streak Into Conference Play

CORVALLIS, Ore.—For the first time in program history the University of Colorado soccer team finished the non-conference slate without a loss. The No. 23 Buffaloes (8-0-1) now shift their focus to conference play, starting with Oregon State this Friday.

Colorado's success in the early portion of the season has gained the team national attention. The Buffs entered the United Soccer Coaches poll for the first time this week. Colorado is just one of 14 DI teams to remain unbeaten.

"You want to have momentum going into Pac-12 play, head coach Danny Sanchez said following Sunday's win over Denver. "So, we have good momentum. Conference is a whole different deal. These nine games were great, but these next 11 games will really show what we are all about."

A lot of CU's early success can be credited to its defensive play. Colorado has allowed just three goals all season. Reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week Jalen Tompkins and teammate Scout Watson have paired up to lead the Buffs in net. The duo has six shutouts thus far and ranks fifth in the NCAA with a combined .939 save percentage. The Buffs are also sixth in the NCAA with a Pac-12 best .325 goals-against average.

"If teams can't take a shot on goal they can't score," Tompkins said about the team's defensive play. "I think the defense has done a really great job. We have had a lot of new people coming in and out of the defense and everybody has worked together. I think that is the standard that we set in the spring. All 11 players defend and all 11 players attack."

Opponents are averaging just 9.7 shots per game against Colorado. CU, on the other hand, ranks 23rd in the NCAA with double its opponents, averaging 18.7 shots per game.

The rest of the season does not get any easier. The Pac-12 boasts five teams in the USC top 25, including No. 1 Stanford and No. 3 Southern California.

"I think the Pac-12 is the highest level of soccer in America right now," Tompkins described. "It is going to get challenging. We are going to get tested in these upcoming games. As long as we can stay consistent and continue working as a unit we will be fine."

Oregon State, who was picked 12th in the conference preseason poll, has had a shaky start to its season. The Beavers come into Friday's game with a 1-7-0 record. OSU has been on the wrong side of some tight contests. They are 0-3 in one-goal games, falling to Clemson, Stony Brook and Dartmouth.

McKenzie Weinert has scored two of the Beavers' four goals this season.

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT. The game will be called by Ann Schatz and Temryss Lane across the Pac-12 Networks.

Colorado University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jalen Tompkins

Scout Watson

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