Players Mentioned
Forwards Look to Keep Producing in 2019
August 17, 2019 | Soccer
Buffs encouraged by front-line depth
BOULDER – The University of Colorado soccer team held its annual Black & Gold scrimmage at Prentup Field on Saturday. The match resulted in a 3-3 draw, as CU approaches its season-opener on Aug. 22 against Drake.
One obvious absence on Saturday was Jorian Baucom, CU's leading goal scorer from a year ago. The graduated senior scored 12 goals for the Buffs last season and became just the second CU player to total more than 30 points in a season. Now that she's playing professionally for AC Sparta Praha Zeny in the Czech Republic, the Buffaloes will need to find scoring elsewhere.
"Jorian was a very good player and had a great senior year for us," head coach Danny Sanchez commented. "We feel that we have returning players stepping up and showing well and we have some freshmen that we saw today that have some ability as well."
The Buffs return five forwards from last season, including senior Tatum Barton and her 11 goals. Camilla Shymka, Katie Joella and Libby Geraghty also combine up top. Senior captain Stephanie Zuniga is also a major returning piece, floating between the midfield and forward positions.
Kyla Ferry, who scored a goal for the Gold team on Saturday is joined by fellow freshman Tessa Barton as the two newcomers. Both Ferry and Barton familiarized themselves with the team early on, joining the Buffaloes on their trip to France this summer.
"Just like any of our positions, I don't think anything is going to be sorted out next weekend," Sanchez added. "Players will be given the opportunity and we will see who steps into it. Tatum has had two good years so she will be up there. We will see who will partner with her."
The production hasn't dropped off in the preseason for the Buffaloes. CU outscored its opponents 19-0 in France and then produced six goals in Saturday's scrimmage.
"The front line has done an incredible job," Zuniga noted. "This season we are emphasizing the different runs that the forwards need to make and overall they have bought into that concept and as you saw today with each team scoring three goals.
"Moving forward it is important to continue those kinds of runs and to continue communicating with each other. The important part about it is that we make sure the forwards and midfielders are on the same page. When that is on, we are in business."
Joella, Ta. Barton and Shymka also got in the box score on Saturday. Joella and Ta. Barton each scored a goal and Shymka picked up an assist. Â Â
The team's front-line depth is something that Sanchez sees as a benefit for the Buffaloes, especially early in the season.
"Early in the year when it is warm and the game stretches and teams aren't at 100 percent fitness—I think that is where we can take advantage of things," Sanchez explained. "Once we get into the meat of conference play we will settle into a rotation. Early on, I think it's wide open."
Colorado will continue to train early this week in preparation for the team's season opener on Thursday. The Buffaloes will play its first six matches at Prentup Field, before a meeting with defending national champion Florida State on Sept. 12.
Colorado season and single-game tickets are now on sale. Be sure to pick yours up here