Sophomore midfielder Kelly Butler dribbles past Utah defense Friday. (CU Independent/Ilana Finer)
The CU soccer team returns to Boulder this week coming off of a 3-1 loss to the University of Florida, before heading back out on the road next weekend.
Colorado kept Florida at bay with several attacking opportunities during the first half of Sunday’s game in Gainesville, Fla., the first courtesy of Kelly Butler’s free kick in the 27th minute.
Erin Bricker would keep the Gator’s defense on their feet, gaining a shot three minutes after Butler’s attempt.
Senior Nikki Marshall started as forward this game, and would score a goal in the 31st minute after a Kelly Menachof cross. However, the goal was annulled after an offside ruling.
The Gators took the lead in the 41st minute thanks to a goal by Holly King. Florida would go on to find the back of the net twice in the second half, during the 48th and 54th minutes with goals from Erika Tymrak and Lindsay Thompson.
Unwilling to receive their first shutout of the season, sophomore Kate Russell scored in the 80th minute to avoid a Buffs shutout.
The defeat comes during the start of Colorado’s three-game road trip. The last two games of the road trip will be next weekend with a journey to northern California for the Stanford Invitational.
The Buffs open the tournament Friday at 8 p.m. (MST) against host Stanford.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Esteban L. Hernandez at Esteban.hernandez@colorado.edu.
