Coaches, players positive after scoreless game
The CU women’s soccer team (2-0-2) tied Brigham Young University Saturday afternoon in its second home game in three days.
Although the game was scoreless after regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods, the team had a lot to celebrate.
“Everything is coming together now. Everyone knows everyone else a lot better,” senior Allison Kidd said.
BYU dominated CU at the beginning of the first half, playing aggressively and controlling the ball.
“At the beginning, they certainly had the run of the play. We had to step it up. By the second half, we knew what we were doing,” Head Coach Bill Hempen said.
By the end of the second half, CU had stepped up its energy considerably. CU’s defense kept BYU to only six shots after allowing the team nine in the first half.
The team stepped up its offense as well, controlling the ball much better toward the end of the game.
“He (Hempen) changed a few players, and we got a lot more energy and confidence in ourselves,” junior Michelle Wenino said.
Sophomore Nikki Marshall led CU with three shots on goal, the most of any player in the game.
“We put out so much effort today, and we have to be proud of that fact. We just haven’t quite found it yet. But when we do, it will be glorious,” Marshall said.
The Buffs have 15 newcomers this season, 14 of whom are freshmen. The young team is working hard to keep up with the pace of college games and read each others’ moves.
“If we can stay connected moving down the field, we’ll have it. Moving as one body is really important,” Kidd said.
Coach Hempen was very happy with his team and the progress they have already made this season.
“I feel good about the game because our team grew today. That’s exactly what we want to happen from game to game,” Hempen said.
This is only the fourth time CU and BYU have played each other, and the first time the two have played in Boulder. The Buffs are now 0-3-1 against the Cougars all-time.
CU plays its next game at Virginia Sept. 13, with its next home game Sept. 21 against Stanford.
