Freshman forward Erin Bricker fights for the ball Sept. 27. (CU Independent file/Michelle Davenport)
After two consecutive road losses at the hands of Big 12 Conference rivals, the Colorado Buffaloes women’s soccer team might be breaking their road deficiency with a 1-0 win against the Kansas Jayhawks.
In a news release after Sunday’s win, head coach Bill Hempen gave some insight into the Buffs’ fifth Big 12 victory.
“We had enough of the ball in the game, but we just didn’t finish our plays with shots,” Hempen said. “If we want to be who we say we want to be, we have to win. The grass is not always green and the sun is not always out, and sometimes you just have to find a way to get through the game and we did that today.”
Freshman forward Erin Bricker, who leads the Buffs with three assists this season, scored the only goal of the match 15 minutes into the first half.
Hempen said Bricker’s goal, which was the first of her career, was invaluable.
“We were away from home in a truly meaningful game that helps your team,” Hempen said in a news release. “She beat the defender and it was as quiet of a goal as she is a person. It wasn’t a rocket. She saw where to put it and rolled it in. It was a great goal for her to start her career in scoring.”
Colorado (8-7) remains firmly atop the Big 12 standings, posting a 5-2 Big 12 record. Kansas (9-5-1) dropped to 1-4 in the conference.
The Buffs will have 12 days to rest before their next matchup, which Hempen said the players will use to their advantage.
“With this break, the most important thing will be healing,” Hempen said in a news release. “This is a perfect time for some of our players to lay low and heal…after 12 days of practice, I hope they can’t wait to get back out there and play.”
With only two games left in their five-game road trip, the Buffaloes will travel to College Station, Texas, to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Oct. 23.
CU Independent Staff Writer Esteban L. Hernandez at Esteban.hernandez@colorado.edu.
