Kornieck Leads Strong Midfield Group
August 21, 2019 | Soccer
Colorado host Drake on Thursday
BOULDER – Colorado senior captain Taylor Kornieck is no secret across the nation. Opponents on the Buffaloes' 2019 schedule are bound to have No. 22 highlighted on their scouting reports.
The Henderson, Nev., native, missed four matches last season and still finished as CU's first United Soccer Coaches All-American since 2006. She set a school-record with 10 assists and totaled 28 total points last season. Her 1.75 points per game led the Buffs and finished 11th in the nation.
Kornieck's 2019 season started with two preseason honors. She was named to her third MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and was selected to Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Best XI.
"I think Taylor is the most well-rounded midfielder in the nation," head coach Danny Sanchez boasted. "When you factor in her ability to attack, her setup ability and her ability to impact the game in so many other ways. I think her defense gets lost sometimes. She is tough to get around and does a really good job affecting the other team's rhythm."
Kornieck leads a group of four players returning to the midfield. Senior Stephanie Zuniga and sophomore Libby Geraghty played both midfield and up top last season. Sophomore Jesse Loren split time between the midfield and defense as well. Sophomore Kayleigh Webb spent much of last season on the backline but moved back to her natural midfield position in the spring.
The rest of the group is made up of newcomers. Freshmen Allie Palangi, Roo Yarnell-Williams, Jade Babcock-Chi, and Amaya Gonzalez are all in the mix for minutes. Palangi was able to accompany the team on the trip to France but has been slowed by injury this fall. Yarnell-Williams notched two goals in CU's Black & Gold scrimmage last Saturday.
"Taylor has been the focus of the attention since she got here," Sanchez continued. "That is not going to change. We feel that we have a lot of good pieces around her. Stephanie Zuniga has stepped up and we expect her to have her best season. Kayleigh Webb has moved into midfield after playing in the back as a freshman. We feel that she has a lot of upside. Libby [Geraghty] can play up top or in the midfield. She is very comfortable on the ball. I think we have a lot of options."
Colorado traditionally sticks to a 4-4-2 formation, meaning four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards. At times there can be a logjam offensively for the Buffs.
"We play to our strengths but also respect our opponents' strengths as well," Sanchez explained. "There is a lot of different options. I think it is a bit of a work in progress and we will see how it shakes out. We are excited about the personnel that we can put around Taylor as we go forward."
Opening weekend
The Buffs open the 2019 season against Drake on Thursday (5 p.m.).
CU received votes in two preseason Top-25 polls and appeared at No. 25 in Soccer America's preseason rankings.
Colorado owns a 2-0 record against Drake. The two teams last met in a 3-0 CU win in 2008. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a CU fan clapper.
The weekend will come to a close against Boston University on Sunday (noon). The Terriers are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. Sunday will be the first meeting between the two schools. It will be the team's first Sunday Funday with activities for kids in attendance. Â Â Â
Colorado season and single-game tickets are now on sale. Be sure to pick yours up here
