Soccer Buffs Boot No. 23 Ole Miss 3-1

BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's soccer team won their third straight match here Sunday afternoon, beating No. 23 Mississippi by a score of 3-1.

The Buffaloes are off to a 3-0-1 start to the 11th year of Colorado soccer, the best start in school history, and claimed their fourth Colorado Soccer Classic title.

Alex Cousins got the Buffaloes on the board in the 25th minute on a penalty kick. She dribbled into the box and was fouled on the left side, and the referee indicated the Buffs would get a penalty shot. Cousins stepped up and took it, placing it on the left side of the net to give CU a 1-0 lead.

Freshman Nikki Marshall would give the Buffs a cushion less than a minute later. Nikki Keller played a ball back through the Rebel defense, which was misplayed and went through all the way to goalkeeper Ann Shelton. Shelton tried to clear it, but Marshall sprinted down the ball and as Shelton tried to clear it, Marshall blocked it with her leg and it ricocheted into the net at the 26:15 mark for her fifth goal of the season and of the weekend, as she netted a school record four goals vs. Clemson on Friday.

"That goal was all hustle, and you just love the speed and youthful exuberance she exudes," said CU head coach Bill Hempen. "It is refreshing to see someone who will play as hard as they can, for as long as they can."

"They played a little deeper today, but that's just something I have to adjust to," said Marshall. "That (goal) was all luck, but I got a couple of good bounces and happened to be there."

Colorado would get their third goal eight minutes later. Alex Cousins laid a ball across the field to freshman forward Caitlin Choun. Choun hit a one-timer, lofting the ball into the air across the front of the goal and into the upper 90 of the left side to make it 3-0 to Colorado at 34:04 for her first career goal.

Colorado dominated the first half stats, with 10 shots to Mississippi's six. Shelton made two saves in the first period, while CU freshman goalkeeper did not have to make a save in the first half. She was replaced at the half by sophomore Kirstin Radlinski.

In the second half, Colorado would again lead the stat sheet, but were not able to get another goal. Mississippi scored their first goal of the tournament when Jennifer Hance hit a shot off a pass from Chrissy Strini at the 72:56 mark.

"We were in the same situation as on Friday in finishing the game," said Hempen. "They didn't punish us for our mistakes. As conference comes and our next opponents away from home, if we continue to do this in games, we're going pay for it at some point and hopefully it will wake us up. But you can't be disappointed with eight goals on the weekend either, but you know coaches, nothing's ever good enough for us."

In all, CU managed 23 shots in the game to Mississippi's 12, with the Buffs getting eight on goal to Mississippi's one. Cousins led the way with nine shots, five of them on goal.

The Buffs did get an extra boost today off the bench as senior Katie Griffin made her first appearance of the season. She came on as a sub in both halves for her first action of the season after an ankle sprain in the exhibition against Northern Colorado on Aug. 18.

"Katie's not 100-percent yet, but you've got to get her some soccer time," said Hempen. "It's different than rehab and working with a ball with the trainer throwing it to you. She needed to get out there and understand (her ankle) is getting better and she can push it harder in a soccer setting."

The timing for Griffin and the Buffs couldn't be better as CU embarks on a tough road trip up next, heading to Utah for games at No. 20 BYU and Utah this weekend. CU are 0-2 against the BYU Cougars all-time, and are 3-1 against Utah. The game against BYU will be broadcast live on BYU TV, which is available on Dish Network and Directv.

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Team Stats

Alex Cousins

Nikki Marshall

Caitlin Choun

Katie Griffin

Players Mentioned

Caitlin Choun

Alex Cousins

Katie Griffin

Nikki Keller

Nikki Marshall

Kirstin Radlinski

Players Mentioned

Caitlin Choun

Alex Cousins

Katie Griffin

Nikki Keller

Nikki Marshall

Kirstin Radlinski