CU Beats Colorado College 3-0

BOULDER, Colo. -The University of Colorado women's soccer team (4-3) won their fourth game in a row, defeating previously undefeated Colorado College (8-1) by a score of 3-0 here Friday afternoon.

"Overall it was a complete effort," said head coach Austin Daniels. "Defensively being able to shut them down, the midfield creating and defending and the forwards finishing our chances, it was a total effort. We were very pleased. The finishing has been great; we couldn't ask for more. At times it got a little sloppy so for Sunday we have to try to maintain more possession, vary our play and continue to finish."

Colorado took their earliest lead of the season when sophomore forward Jessi Burgener scored at the 3:39 mark of the first half. Midfielder Ashley Honig created the opportunity with a long throw-in into the box, which Burgener controlled and knocked into the bottom left corner of the net. The goal was Burgener's second of the season, and marked Honig's first career assist. It was also the quickest goal in CU history, surpassing Heather Zonker's game-winning effort at the 5:12 mark against UMass on Sept. 25, 1998.

The Buffs extended their lead when CC committed a foul near the top left edge of their own penalty box. Zonker took the free kick, which she bent around the CC wall and into the far post, where CC keeper Kristin Masunaga got a hand on it but could not keep out of the net at the 35:05 mark. It marked the second straight game in which CU took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Colorado outshot Colorado College seven to five in the first half, with CC's keepers pulling in three saves to Danielle Bassett's four.

"We have been hitting the post a lot and not finishing the ball very well," said Zonker. "I think today we had an attitude that we were going to put it in the net, not just shoot and aim for the goal, and that's why we scored. We kept going forward and we didn't hang back and let them play at us. We took it at them."

The Tigers came out of halftime looking to gain momentum right out of the break, however CU's defensive lineup of Aimee Bugay, Kyley Ellenberger, Kendall Pata and Allie Gausman thwarted most of their chances. CU got their third and final goal at the 74:35 mark, when Burgener nodded home her second goal of the game. Zonker played a ball deep into the CC defense, which senior Melissa Cartmell ran onto and lofted across the goal to a wide-open Burgener who headed the ball home. The goal gave Burgener her first career multiple-goal game and Colorado's second in a row after Cartmell notched two goals against Air Force in a 3-2 win over the Falcons on Sept. 13.

"I really think we did a great job just dominating play today," said Burgener. "We respected their 8-0 record entering the game and so it was important that we play composed and play the whole game without letting up. It's great to get a win over an undefeated team as well as in-state rival. We want to be the best team in the state, and we didn't play like it against Denver so it was important for us to win today."

Colorado are now 2-1 against in-state foes, falling 1-0 to Denver in the season opener, then beating Air Force 3-2 and CC 3-0. The Buffs now lead the series with CC 3-2, having won the last three meetings. Bassett finished the match with five total saves, earning the junior keeper her first shutout of the season and the sixth of her career.

The Buffs are back in action against San Francisco at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Pleasant View. Admission and parking are free at all Colorado soccer games.

Next Event

Team Stats

Jessi Burgener

Heather Zonker

Melissa Cartmell

Ashley Honig

Players Mentioned

Danielle Bassett

Aimee Bugay

Jessi Burgener

Melissa Cartmell

Kyley Ellenberger

Ashley Honig

Kendall Pata

Heather Zonker

Players Mentioned

Danielle Bassett

Aimee Bugay

Jessi Burgener

Melissa Cartmell

Kyley Ellenberger

Ashley Honig

Kendall Pata

Heather Zonker