Colorado
11-5-2, 3-4-2
Washington
10-5-2, 6-3-0
Colorado Blanks No. 21 Washington
October 31, 2019 | Soccer
Hannah Sharts scores first career goal
SEATTLE – Colorado sophomore Hannah Sharts picked the perfect moment to score her first career goal on Thursday, helping Colorado defeat No. 21 Washington, 1-0.
Sharts, a transfer from UCLA, had not recorded a point in her collegiate career before notching the game-winner. She has been a solid presence on the Buffs' backline this season, having started every match this season.
The win helps Colorado improve to 11-5-2 overall and 3-4-2 in the Pac-12. Washington falls to 10-5-2 and 6-3 in the conference.
How it happened
The first half was a stalemate. Neither team was able to assert themselves on the attack. The Huskies had a slight 5-4 lead in shots at the half, but it was freshman Jade Babcock-Chi who recorded the only shot on goal for either side.
Washington opened the second half with three consecutive shots. Colorado's first shot of the half nearly turned into a goal. Junior Gabbi Chapa served a ball into Taylor Kornieck who headed the ball just over the corner of the net in the 56th minute.
The Huskies got a few scoring chances in the middle of the period, but Jalen Tompkins stood tall in net, making four saves in the half.
The Buffs had two chances to get on the board in the 66th and 70th minutes. CU corner kicks helped set up Kornieck for another header opportunity and sophomore Libby Geraghty stuck a shot high over the net.
It was another set-piece that set up Sharts' goal in the 80th minute. A foul in the right corner handed the Buffs a free-kick, sending Stephanie Zuniga to the ball. Her service was punched out by Washington's keeper, Siena Ruelas. The ball found Sharts, who put an initial shot back on net. The rebound came right back to her and she buried it with the right foot.
Colorado played a possession game the rest of the way keeping the ball deep in the Washington zone. Tompkins made one save in the 86th minute to secure the clean sheet.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Colorado
Goals: 1
Shots: 11
Fouls: 7
Saves: 4
Washington
Goals: 0
Shots: 18
Fouls: 16
Saves: 3
Up Next: Colorado travels to the Palouse to take on Washington State on Sunday.
Notes: The shutout was the seventh of the season for CU…it was also the 24th career solo shutout for Tompkins who is now one shy of tying the CU record…CU is now 2-4 this season against ranked opponents.
Quotes
Head coach Danny Sanchez
Overall thoughts
"I thought the first 20 minutes Washington had the run of play. I think we were playing a little tentative. I thought towards the end of the first half, we played better. In the second half, I was really pleased. I don't know how many saves JJ made but she made a couple. I thought we were playing high up the field playing smart. I want to shout out to some of the players. I thought the back four were fantastic today, not just because Hannah Sharts scored but Hannah Cardenas, Kelsey [Aaknes] and Gabbi [Chapa] were awesome. Taylor was her usual self. Kaylee Webb was not 100 percent but an absolute war to gut it out. A lot of great individual performance today so it's a great result and we're excited to get up to a Pullman on Sunday to keep it going."
On scoring the goal
"Well you know we talked about you know sometimes the goals aren't the prettiest things, but you have to put pressure on. Fortunately, for us, one fell to us in the box and Hannah, did what you have to do. You have to kick it off and give yourself a chance and it's a nice finish. I want to give a lot of credit to that Washington team. That is a very good team as a team that is going to be in the tournament. It was a very good win for the Buffs as we get ready for Sunday."
On starting the weekend with a win
"Well, I think it hopefully gives us some momentum. Obviously, we're pretty dinged up. We have two, two and a half days to recover as we get ready for Sunday. It's some good momentum. It's a great group of young women and we're excited to see where the weekend can take us."
Team Stats
Hannah Sharts (1)
GOAL by COL Sharts, Hannah.
79:04
