Buffs drop Big 12 opener at home in emotional 1-0 loss
Women’s soccer lost to Texas Tech Friday afternoon at Prentup Field in a game that was clearly emotional for many of the Buffs.
The Red Raiders defeated the Buffs 1-0, but the score alone does not accurately describe the dynamic on the field. CU came into Friday’s first Big 12 game expecting to win, but they left the field clearly disappointed in themselves and the way they played.
“When it comes down to it, the Big 12 is the hardest conference to play in,” said Nikki Keller, a junior midfielder and integrative physiology major. “You have to play hard every time. We were ready for this, but it was not the way we pictured starting off the conference.”
Although the Buffs had 19 total shots to the Red Raiders 10, the team still struggled when the time came to get the ball into the net.
“I think it has to do with our confidence,” Keller said. “We have lots of new people, and we need to have the confidence to be able to work with each other to make things happen.”
Head Coach Bill Hempen was disappointed with what he saw on the field on Friday.
“(Texas Tech) is our team seven years ago,” Hempen said. “They are not necessarily talented individually, but they played with way more urgency than we did today. I guarantee that will never happen to this team again.”
The Buffs maintained some of their strength on defense, but they still allowed the Red Raiders their only goal off a free kick with just 13 minutes left to play.
“Defensively we are strong all over the field. But one breakdown, like the one we had today, can cost you the entire game,” Keller said.
While the Buffs only allowed one goal, their opponent simply beat them in every aspect of the game.
“We had a problem finishing and they just outworked us,” Keller said. “Their work ethic was so high — they were running harder than we were.”
Hempen thinks the girls need to work on believing in themselves and their abilities.
“We have absolutely no belief that anything we do while attacking the goal will end up in there,” Hempen said. “It wasn’t luck, they absolutely beat us.”
The Buffs will be putting in a lot of practice time before their next match at home against Nebraska on Oct. 5.
“We need to put in a lot more effort this weekend, so we can come out hard against Nebraska and Iowa State next week,” Keller said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer amanda.walck@colorado.edu.
