Offense Driving No. 18 Buffs

BOULDER – The University of Colorado soccer team moved up to No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches poll on Tuesday, following another six-goal performance last week at Oregon State.

Colorado (9-0-1, 1-0-0) jumped up five spots in the rankings from No. 23. CU's leap puts the team inside the top-20 for the first time since 2016 and it marks the team's highest ranking since a one-week stint at No. 15 in 2009.

Much of the Buffs' success can be attributed to its strong offensive play. Colorado has totaled 32 goals this season, one more than all last season. In fact, Colorado's 32 goals are more than the Buffaloes have scored in 14 of its previous seasons. The team has also set a school record with 38 assists this season.

"We have some good players back," head coach Danny Sanchez noted. "Taylor [Kornieck] is obviously special. Megan Massey and Sarah Kinzner have basically been starters since they have been here. I think Emily Groark has stepped up well as a freshman. It was nice to get Stephanie Zuniga back from injury. She started in Taylor's place for a few weeks.

"I think a lot of it is just the performance of Tatum Barton up top. She had a good year last year. She is obviously having a great year this year. We know the quality of Jorian [Baucom]. Now we have players like Marty Puketapu, Libby Geraghty and some others off the bench where we are not missing much. I think it is a combination of all those factors."

Barton burst on the scene in 2018 with a hat-trick against Missouri. The Littleton, Colo., native, hasn't looked back. Barton ranks second in the NCAA with 11 goals. Her efforts have quickly put her among Colorado's top all-time goal scorers. Barton has totaled 17 goals in just one and half seasons at CU, placing her tied for eighth in program history.

Her partner up top this season has been just as productive. Jorian Baucom, who redshirted last year, jumped right into action this season. The LSU transfer is second to Barton in the Pac-12 with 19 points. She posted a five-point game (2 G, 1A) in CU's win at Oregon State last week and has scored in five games this season.

"Tatum is one of the closest people to me off the field," Baucom said following the win at Oregon State. "I think that translates the most. Just being able to carry that onto the field--it shows a lot. I think in building that chemistry with her and Taylor makes us one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. We are honestly just working for each other."

Taylor Kornieck returned to the lineup at Oregon State after missing the previous four games. Her impact on the field paid immediate dividends, handing out three assists. Despite missing time, Kornieck remained among the nation's assist leaders. Her nine assists on the season now lead the nation and tied Kathryn Grandinetti's (2003) single-season record. Kornieck has totaled 17 career assists, placing her third in all-time in the record books. She is also steadily climbing the career points list, now in sole possession of fifth with 57 career points.

"I do not think she [Taylor] missed a beat," Baucom added. "I think she is one of the most dynamic players in the midfield. She is a playmaker. She gets her head on the ball every time. She puts our forwards in the best possible position to score."

Colorado dives deeper into Pac-12 play this week. The Buffs remain on the road with games at Arizona State (Sept. 27) and Arizona (Sept. 30).

"We know the next 10 games these goals are going to be a little harder to come by," Sanchez explained. "But we also have confidence that we have good personnel."

The Buffaloes return home after the road trip. Colorado will host No. 9 Washington State (Oct. 4) and Washington (Oct. 7). That weekend is the team's Alumni Weekend. Players from previous seasons will be welcomed back and recognized during the Washington game.

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Players Mentioned

Tatum Barton

Jorian Baucom

Libby Geraghty

Emily Groark

Sarah Kinzner

Taylor Kornieck

Megan Massey

Marty Puketapu

Stephanie Zuniga

Colorado University Athletics