Colorado
Stanford
Buffs Host No. 2 Stanford and California in Final Homestand
October 23, 2019 | Soccer
Six seniors set to close home careers
BOULDER – Colorado soccer gears up for its final two home matches of the season this week. The Buffaloes will host No. 2 Stanford on Thursday and close with California on Sunday.Â
The matches mark the final regular-season home games for the team's six seniors. Jalen Tompkins, Kelsey Aaknes, Stephanie Zuniga, Camilla Shymka, Taylor Kornieck and Tatum Barton will be the center of attention this week at Pretnup Field as their careers at Colorado approach an end.Â
Kornieck and Tompkins have been in the spotlight since stepping on campus as freshmen. Now in the final moments of their senior year, both players have etched their name in the Colorado record books.Â
"I think the conversation for all-time great Buffs field players probably starts and ends with Taylor and Nikki Marshall," head coach Danny Sanchez explained. "That's no disrespect to Amy Barczuk and Fran Munnelly and a lot of other players. Michelle Wenino. She'll be sorely missed, but we're going to enjoy the last few games with her.
"I think JJ, once again no disrespect to other goalkeepers we've had, is the greatest goalkeeper in the history of Colorado soccer. Not just because of the saves record, but from what she brings on the leadership side. Three-year captain and everything else she does. I think the Senior Day [on Sunday], get there early. They'll be crying, the parents will be crying and then me, Jason [Green] and Dave [Morgan] will be crying even more."
Each of the seniors took a minute to reflect on their time as a Buff.Â
What has been your favorite memory while at CU?
Tatum Barton:Â "I'd probably have to say going to France with the team over the summer. It was so special. I love this team so much. It was just such a good bonding experience for all of us. On the field, I will always remember our game last year against Missouri and scoring the hat trick."
Kelsey Aaknes:Â "It's really hard to come up with one singular favorite memory of being at CU. Of course, I will never forget beating UCLA [in 2016] or making it to the tournament my freshman and sophomore year. Overall, my favorite memories come from preparing for the fall season. Whether it's hanging out with the team in the summer after extremely tiring workouts or preseason training, due to the amount of time we spend together bonding, I would definitely say the excitement and time dedicated to playing soccer and being with the team during the summer has brought me some of my favorite memories."
Jalen Tompkins:Â "It is hard to pick one memory over the past four years, but on the field, if I had to choose it would have to be either the 2016 Washington State game or the 2017 Utah game. The Washington State game in 2016 was my first Pac-12 game ever and at the time we all knew we were good, but we hadn't proven ourselves yet. The game was so intense, we only had a few shots on goal but Taylor scored the game-winner in about the 88th minute. It was unreal. We all celebrated as a team. I think it was at that moment I knew how special this program was going to be for the next four years. As for 2017 Utah, we had to win that game to make it to the NCAA Tournament and by the end of the year a lot of teams had counted us out. Our coaches instilled this belief in us and when we beat Utah, 2-0, we ended up going six or seven games without losing or being scored on which sealed our NCAA bid. So for me, that was just an amazing team moment where we came together and saw our success pay off."
Camilla Shymka:Â "Some of the best memories I have are celebrating big goals, winning big games and the celebrations we have as a team. I think a lasting memory for me will be the everyday routine of practicing and having the honor of putting on the No. 20 jersey. Ultimately, I am just very grateful to have been a part of something so special."
Taylor Kornieck:Â "I have two favorite memories from my time here at CU. My first was at my first Pac-12 game ever as a freshman. We had a great team win against Washington State when Sarah Kinzner played me a great ball in behind where I scored in the 89th minute to help us beat WSU. My second favorite memory was breaking CU's all-time points record and running over to celebrate with my team. Without my team, I never would have had the opportunity to make history."
Stephanie Zuniga:Â "There have been so many memories that I have created here at CU that I will forever cherish. From meeting new people and creating life-long friendships, not only with my teammates but friends from other CU teams, traveling, the bus rides and memorable games. Specifically, my all-time favorite game against Cal back in 2016. I assisted Taylor in the last 10 seconds of the game in double overtime in front of all my family and friends. Living just 15 minutes from Cal made it that much better and it truly was a fairytale ending to a game."
What have the past four/five years meant to you?
TB: "I'm grateful for the coaching staff. We have such a great program. It's so different from where I came [Texas Tech"]. They have created just a really good environment. It was such an easy transition for me when I transferred."
KA:Â "The past four years have been some of the best of my entire life. There is no better feeling than being able to play the sport you love with the people you love, every day for four years. I have grown and learned so much about myself and I feel so incredibly lucky to have this once in a lifetime opportunity as a student-athlete, especially at a school as amazing as CU."
JT:Â "These past four and half years have meant everything to me. It's hard to put into words how fortunate I am to have had the ability to grow as a player, leader and person because of this program. I am so thankful for every teammate I've had over the years and that I was able to proudly represent CU."
CS: "The last four years have taught me to be strong and to never give up for what I want to achieve in life. These years have provided me so much happiness, learning and growth. This experience has made me the person I am today and the program has provided me the opportunity to get there."
TK:Â "These past four years have meant everything to me. Being able to play the game I love and to play it in one of the most beautiful campuses in the country means the world to me. I am so grateful for the coaching staff and my teammates for helping me grow as a player and a person in general."Â
SZ:Â "The past five years have meant so much to me. Through my experiences with soccer and friends, I have grown and learned so much not only as a player but as a person. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity the coaching staff gave me and for believing in me back in high school t play at this level and this top-class institution. Not many people have the opportunity to play the sport they love and get an education at the same time. I'm blessed to have been able to do both of those at the same time these past five years."
What will you remember the most when you look back at your time at CU?
TB:Â "I'll probably just remember the team the most. I love them all so much and they've all been so good to me. That is for sure what I'm going to remember."
KA:Â "When I look back at my time at CU, I will definitely remember all the memories and time spent with my teammates. From our preseason trips to a bunch of us hanging out at Champions Center for lunch, I can honestly say that I have been beyond blessed to have such amazing teammates to create memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life."
JT:Â "When I look back at my time at CU, I will remember the friendships I've made most. I have truly met the most amazing people at CU and through this program. I have met lifelong friends and have been able to do my favorite thing in the world with them every day. It is something I'll always think back and smile about.
CS:Â "I think that I will remember playing soccer and living the lifestyle of a Buffs student-athlete the most. I will never forget the lifelong friendships I have made with my teammates and just living through every experience with them. Lastly, being a part of such a beautiful school and all the amazing people, coaches, staff and teachers that have helped me be successful along the way."
TK:Â "I will never forget the friendships I have made and the endless support I have received throughout my time here at CU. I am forever grateful for everyone that has helped me get to where I am today. I have had an incredible experience as a Buff."
SZ:Â "What I will remember the most when I look back at my team at CU is all the memories that were made with my teammates throughout the years, and all the good times we had. As well as, all the amazing people outside of my team that I have met, who have been by my side and have made such an impact in my five years here at CU. Lastly, I will remember that I grew through everything I went through, positive and negative. There are lessons to be learned in everything that comes your way."
Fans are encouraged to wear black for Thursday's match against Stanford. There will be a t-shirt giveaway for students in attendance, while supplies last.Â
Sunday's match is not only Senior Day, but it is also the team's annual Kick-or-Treat. There will be trick-or-treating stations set up kinds in attendance before the match. Ralphie is also scheduled to be at the field pregame and will run before the match if the weather and field conditions permit.Â
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