Seven women made sure everyone knew Prentup Field was their own as passionate play and a little bit of snow molded an emotional Senior Day for the women’s soccer team.
For seniors Nikki Marshall, Ally Goodman, Kara Linder, Kelly Menachof, Tobie Rippy, Kelly Ross and Mary White, they would go out on top in their final home game on Friday at Prentup Field as the Colorado Buffaloes shutout Texas Tech 2-0.
Marshall finished her final home game as Colorado’s leader in points, goals and game-winning goals.
Struggling to hold back the tears, head coach Bill Hempen choked up as it came time to honor Marshall and her accomplishments following the game.
“She has shown everyone that she was the best player to ever play at the University of Colorado,” Hempen said during the ceremony.
That may very well be true. In the opinion of 2006 World Cup analyst and National Soccer Hall of Fame member Marcelo Balboa, Marshall has what it takes to play on the professional level as well.
“There’s no doubt about it,” Balboa said. “She has the right attitude, and you’re looking at a player that will get drafted and make an impact wherever she goes.”
Speaking to the crowd after the game, Hempen spoke of Marshall bringing the grounds crew hot chocolate after clearing off the snow on Prentup. It’s not exactly the type of star athlete many are used to.
“Sometimes you have them as players and don’t appreciate what else they bring to the program,” Hempen said. “But we’ve appreciated what they have brought both on and off the field.”
Marshall said she had to try hard not to focus on the emotions this game would stir up as she gave the fans at Prentup one last cheer doing what she does best: finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
“I knew it would take an emotional toll on me, so I just tried to put it in the back of my mind and focus on the win today,” Marshall said.
Scoring off her own rebound, Marshall notched the first goal of the match giving Colorado a lead Texas Tech could not catch up to.
If the resume of stars for Colorado ended with Marshall, that would suffice. But Marshall is only the peak of the mountain when it comes to this senior team’s accomplishments.
Goalkeeper Kara Linder will walk away holding the No. 6 spot in school history for all-time saves, the No. 7 spot for save percentage, and the No. 3 spots for shutouts and wins.
Ending her final game in a shutout, Linder said she could not have asked for anything more.
“I didn’t even think about it and it’s always my goal,” Linder said. “But to go out on a shutout is just awesome.”
Winning isn’t everything, but for these seniors it is. The departing class has led the Buffs to three previous 10-plus win seasons in their tenure.
Impressive, right? Maybe not as much as when you add on the next credential.
These talented seven seniors hold a 47-28-12 record and have led the Buffs to three NCAA tournament berths.
With a little luck during the Big 12 tournament beginning Wednesday in San Antonio, these experienced women could successfully lead CU to four NCAA berths in four years.
As much as this group would like to sit and reminisce over the past four years at Prentup, now is not the time. With the upcoming Big 12 tournament, confidence is key for Colorado, who finished 6-4 in conference play.
“We needed a win and we’ve been struggling lately,” Marshall said. “I think today gave us the confidence we need going into the Big 12 tournament.”
There is no denying the road ahead for the Buffs and this senior class will be challenging. But in taking one moment to look back on the road traveled, one word sums it up for Marshall.
“Phenomenal,” she said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Richard Londer at Richard.londer@colorado.edu.
