Bill Hempen is searching for something to help his Colorado Buffaloes soccer team after a two-game losing streak. The problem is the CU soccer head coach isn’t quite sure where to begin.
“It appears to me that they’re trying hard, but there’s something missing and I can’t figure out what the deal is,” Hempen said in a news release after the Buffs’ overtime loss to the Texas Longhorns.
Colorado (8-9, 5-4 Big 12 Conference) fell 1-0 against Texas (8-7-3, 4-2-3 Big 12) on Sunday after 102 minutes of soccer in Austin, Texas. It is their second straight loss overall and against Big 12 opponents.
Texas’ Sophie Campise scored the game-winning goal.
The Buffs, who are 2-8 away from home this season, ended their five-game road trip 1-4.
Senior forward Kelly Menachof produced the Buffs’ first opportunity when her shot forced Texas goalkeeper Alexa Gaul into a diving save in the 18th minute of the first half.
Sisters Nikki and Shaye Marshall, a senior and a freshman respectively, formulated an attack after Nikki Marshall crossed a ball into the penalty area in the 49th minute. Shaye Marshall’s header went high over the crossbar.
In light of the recent losses, Hempen said his players and staff are in need of some recuperation.
“We’re all hurt,” Hempen said in the news release. “The team is hurt. The staff is hurt. We think we’re doing the right thing but they can’t seem to catch a break, and we have to fight our way out of it. We still have a game to play next week and we need to come out and win.”
CU will return to Boulder to wrap up the regular season against Texas Tech at 3 p.m Friday. Before the game, the Buffs will honor Ally Goodman, Kara Linder, Nikki Marshall and Kelly Menachof as part of the Senior Day celebration.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Esteban L. Hernandez at Esteban.hernandez@colorado.edu.
