Buffs Primed for 2019

BOULDER – Preparation for the 2019 soccer season officially kicks off on Tuesday for the University of Colorado. As a precursor, head coach Danny Sanchez and senior captains Jalen Tompkins and Taylor Kornieck participated in Colorado's Fall Sports Media Day on Saturday.

The Buffaloes will have two training sessions a day during the first week of practice. The team will then head off on a retreat to continue training and bonding, before returning to play in Black and Gold scrimmage on Aug. 17 (11 a.m.). The Buffs open the regular season at Prentup Filed on Aug. 22, hosting Drake (5 p.m.)

"Just like we always say when we start the season, we are excited to get going," Sanchez began. "We start our preseason on Tuesday morning, and unlike some sports, we have a pretty tight window. We have the Black and Gold game on August 17 and our home opener on August 22. The players have been working hard. As most of you know, we had the trip to France which gave us a little bit of a head start, getting a little extra training in. The last three and a half-four weeks we have been working hard with Travis Larson, getting ready for the season."

The Buffaloes' schedule was a hot topic of conversation. Colorado will battle Texas and Baylor at Prentup, as well as travel to defending national champion Florida State. In all, the Buffs will face five NCAA Tournament teams in the non-conference season, hosting Boston University and traveling to Denver.

"As you know, we had a very good season last year, " Sanchez continued. "Unfortunately, it didn't end the way we wanted. We took the doubt out of it with our strength of schedule this year."

The Buffs started last season with a program-record 16-game unbeaten streak and rose to as high as No. 15 in the nation. CU finished 13-4-3 last year and fell just shy of a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

"It was one of the low points of my college career," Tompkins recalled. "I just try to use it as motivation, we all have. Last year our motto was 'Do More' and we just didn't do it. That was the thing. This year, going into the summer, my entire attitude is just to earn the right to make it into the tournament, earn the right to win the game and earn it at every point."

"I am taking it as motivation," Kornieck added. "I know that the team doesn't want to have that feeling ever again. We are all excited and we are working hard on and off the field. It's going to be a great year."

Colorado returns 14 players from last season, including seven starters. The team has a strong group of senior leaders in Kelsey Aaknes and Stephanie Zuniga who join Kornieck and Tompkins in wearing the captain's band. Tatum Barton is set for her final season after breaking through with 26 points (11 G, 4 A) last season.

The Buffs have a complimentary group of underclassmen, including a sophomore class that gained valuable experience last season. Second-year midfielder Kayleigh Webb led the team in minutes, logging most of her 1,726 minutes playing out of position on the backline.

Rounding out the underclassmen is a group of nine new freshmen. Kyla Ferry, Allie Palangi and Tessa Barton all got a jump on the season, joining the team on the trip to France. Goalkeepers Megan Short and Emma Miller will compete for a spot behind seasoned veteran Tompkins in net.

There will be plenty of opportunities to catch the Buffs in action early in the season. CU opens with six consecutive home matches, before heading off to Florida State.

Colorado season tickets are now on sale. Be sure to pick yours up at https://buffs.me/2Kudnr5