CU's Kate Russell takes the ball on offense in a 2008 game. Russell scored the only goal against Florida Sunday. (CU Independent file/ Danielle Alberti)
In sports, losing games can be menacing, but losing consecutive games can be especially dangerous. The latter is a stigma the Colorado Buffaloes’ soccer team, ranked No. 23 in the nation, will attempt to avoid on Friday as it heads to California for the Stanford Invitational.
Threatening CU’s hopes for victory this weekend are No. 3 Stanford (7-0) out of the Pac-10 Conference and No. 12 Santa Clara (5-2) from the West Coast Conference.
As a result, head coach Bill Hempen has some challenges beginning to stack up.
“We’re looking at the possibility of losing three games in a row; there is a challenge,” Hempen said. “We’re looking at the challenge of playing the No. 3 team in the country at their place on a Friday night. You got to believe that they are going to have the advantage.”
A loss could also remove the Buffaloes (4-3) from the national rankings.
The Buffs are winless against Pac-10 schools this season. Their only encounter was against Oregon, which resulted in a 2-1 loss.
Hempen said he is well aware of Stanford’s potential.
“Stanford has got some very fast players up front and they’re very good,” Hempen said. “At the very least, one of the things we try to accomplish is just to compete and get a hand on kids.”
Sophomore midfielder Kate Russell, who scored CU’s lone goal against Florida on Sunday, said she is eager for the opportunity.
“It’s definitely a game that I hope that we all come to perform. It’s an opportunity, a wonderful chance to play such a good team,” Russell said. “If we could capitalize on a win it would be unbelievable. We would be very fortunate. I am very excited for that.”
Senior goalkeeper Kara Linder said she shares Russell’s enthusiasm and is excited for the trip to the Golden State, which she said “should be a good experience.”
“Knowing that [Stanford is] ranked third, we know we are going to have to step up and not only match their speed of play but rise above it as well,” Linder said. “We are preparing to do that on Friday.”
Although only one of CU’s current three-game road trip has been contested, the players assure that the traveling has a minimal effect on their performance.
“After four years, we know what to expect,” Linder said. “It shouldn’t affect us too much.”
For Russell, the road games are a source of motivation.
“Generally, you are a lot more tired and it takes a little while to adjust,” Russell said. “It’s a bit difficult but overall, I think it actually benefits me personally to travel.”
Hempen notes that the players deal well with the travel, saying it becomes second nature to adjust accordingly to away games.
“They’re big kids,” Hempen joked.
Hempen said additional stress is not a factor, bur rather, “[it’s] not even stress, it’s a different environment.”
Hempen is remaining cautious but ambitious against a team that not long ago was a Final Four contender.
“You can build it anyway you want, we’re playing two really good teams this weekend.” Hempen said. “[They are] really, really storied programs, good teams, so we got to be on the ball.”
Kick-off against Stanford is Friday at 8 p.m. MST. The Buffs will face Santa Clara at noon on Sunday.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Esteban L. Hernandez at Esteban.hernandez@colorado.edu.
