Colorado
Austin Peay State
Soccer Closes Homestand with Austin Peay and Baylor
September 04, 2019 | Soccer
Buffs look to add two more to the win column
BOULDER – The Colorado soccer team will wrap up its season-long six-match homestand with a pair of matches this weekend. The Buffaloes will put their 4-0-0 record on the line against Austin Peay on Thursday and Baylor on Sunday.
Colorado has strung together four wins to start the season, scoring two goals in each contest. The consistency of the Buffs has been solid with the team showing progression from the start of week one.
"I think we've been pretty consistent," head coach Danny Sanchez noted. "I think we've made some progressions like any team after four games. I think that defensively we've been good. I've been pleased with the back four and the players that have subbed in there and obviously, JJ in goal. We have been pretty consistent and not giving up a lot of opportunities."
Colorado is outscoring its opponents 8-2 in the first two weeks of the season. The Buffs did not allow a goal until going down 1-0 against Kent State in the first half of last Thursday's contest. CU has been creating more and more scoring chances but has yet to break the two-goal threshold.
Senior Taylor Kornieck picked up one goal last week, the game-winner against Kent State. She starts the weekend leading the nation with 6.75 shots per game. The Buffs' attack has seen six different goal scorers, with Kornieck and senior Stephanie Zuniga the only two players more than one tally.
"The attack is usually the thing that takes the longest to come together," Sanchez added. "Against Texas, we created a lot of chances against a very good team. We need to continue to build off that momentum. But we're getting a lot of players involved in the attack.
"We'd like to see a [offensive] breakout happen, but we're playing teams that have 14 scholarships and are coached well, so you can't expect that. Having said that, I think that we may be been a little unlucky not to maybe have banged in a few more along the way. If it takes two goals to win a game, we're very content with that. We know that we need to be more efficient. If we're more efficient, that should translate to more goals."
CU's home slate will be halfway done after the weekend's action. Colorado will play one more non-conference home match against Northern Colorado (Sept. 19) before hosting five matches in Pac-12 play. A 6-0 start at home would be a big boost before entering the challenging Pac-12 season.
"We're just trying to win the next one," Sanchez said. "Being at home is an advantage for us. We need to take advantage when we're at home because when we go on the road, it's difficult. We have two more games this weekend in Austin Peay who had a very good year last year. I know the coach very well. She's very good. She'll come in with a good game plan for us tomorrow. Probably something we haven't seen yet. We need to be prepared for that. Then obviously Baylor on the weekend is a top-20 caliber team. We're excited that we're at 4-0 at this point and taking care of business, but we know we need to be better."
About Austin Peay
The Buffs and Governors will play for the first time in program history on Thursday. While Austin Peay (0-2-1) is not a familiar team on the schedule, there will be familiarity.
Austin Peay's head coach, Naomi Kolarova, played for Sanchez and Dave Morgan at Metro State.
"Naomi came to us for her senior year," Sanchez explained. "She was already a three-time All-American and became a four-time All-American after one year with us. She was a great leader. She played the whole season with bronchitis and struggled but just willed us to the Elite Eight.
"She was a fantastic leader and I'm very excited that she got into coaching. I just knew she had that demeanor, the work rate and the personality to be successful. I have nothing but respect for her and I know she'll be super successful."
Fans will be treated to free pizza at the game while supplies last.
About Baylor
The Bears dropped out of the United Soccer Coaches rankings this week following a 1-1 draw to Nebraska on Sunday. The Bears opened the season with a 4-2 win over Northwestern State and also have a 1-0 decision against Drake. The former Big 12 rival finished 20-6 last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. They are coached by Paul Jabson who is in his seventh leading the Bears.
Local mascots including Bernie (Colorado Avalanche), Dinger (Colorado Rockies), Clyde (UCCS), Milo (CU Denver) and Louie (Polidori) will join Chip. Fans in attendance will also receive cowbells.
