Soccer Opens Fall Camp
August 06, 2019 | Soccer
Buffs hold first two training sessions of 2019
BOULDER – The 2019 season officially got underway on Tuesday for the University of Colorado soccer team. The Buffaloes held their first two training sessions of the season at Prentup Field, beginning preparation for their Aug. 22 season-opener against Drake.
"It's just great to be back out there with the team, touching the ball, playing soccer" senior forward Stephanie Zuniga explained. "We all love soccer so there is no better feeling to be out there again with everyone, especially with the effort that everyone gave. It was just unreal."
Colorado boasts a roster with plenty of new faces this season. The team added nine freshmen into the mix on Tuesday. Kyla Ferry, Tessa Barton and Allie Palangi joined the team on its trip to France in June. Megan Short, Roo Yarnell-Williams, Jade Babcock-Chi, Alyssa Duke, Amaya Gonzalez and Emma Miller all donned the Black and Gold for the first time. CU also added transfers in sophomore Hannah Sharts (UCLA) and junior Haileigh Adams (Grambling State).
The Buffs return 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 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List selection Taylor Kornieck and goalkeeper Jalen 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. Â
CU began the morning going through a fitness test, before moving into soccer activities. The Buffs ran a timed mile as part of the test wrapped up the morning with 11 v 11 action. Â
"The fitness test is hard," head coach Danny Sanchez noted. "It makes your legs very heavy. When we come out and play 11 a side, we are not expecting miracles on day one. I thought the energy was pretty good. I thought the recovery when we did make mistakes was good. I liked our positivity and how we are trying to play, and I thought some players did show well. Let's be honest, it's a competition from day one to see who is going to start on Aug. 22."
CU is scheduled for two-a-days the rest of the week, before heading off on a team retreat next Monday.
Colorado Receiving Votes
The United Soccer Coaches released its preseason rankings on Tuesday. The Buffaloes will start the season receiving votes for the third consecutive season.
The Buffs started last season with a program-record 16-game unbeaten streak and rose to as high as No. 15 in the rankings. CU finished 13-4-3 last year and fell just shy of a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Three Pac-12 teams appeared in the top-5. Stanford comes in at No. 3 followed by UCLA (4) and Southern California (5). Two other CU opponents begin the season ranked. Baylor, who visits Boulder on Sept. 8, is ranked 14th to start the season. Texas, who will be at Prentup on Sept. 1, is ranked 19th.
Arizona, Utah, Washington State, California and Arizona State all received votes.
Colorado season and single-game tickets are now on sale. Be sure to pick yours up at https://buffs.me/2Kudnr5Â
