CU Buffaloes soccer (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)
Colorado’s women’s soccer team lost 1-0 to the University of Missouri Tigers at Prentup Field in Boulder Friday. The Buffs now sit at 5-7-1 (2-2 Big 12), and Mizzou is 5-5-2 (3-1 Big 12).
“I don’t think we really played well today,” said Colorado head coach Bill Hempen. “If you’re not ready to play somewhat physical, or at least challenge everything, then [the opposition is] going to nip one away.”
The Buffaloes are now in the midst of a three game losing streak, and have failed to find the back of the net in their last four.
The entire team is unhappy with the lack of goals.
“It’s really frustrating,” said CU freshman forward Alex Dohm. “We’ve [been] practicing and practicing shooting, and I feel that we need to break the ice, and once we get one goal I feel they just keep coming.”
Colorado came out of the gates slow, allowing Mizzou a few chances in the early going. As the Buffs eased their way into the game, it became back-and-forth, with both sides having looks at the net.
At the end of the first half, Missouri had out shot Colorado 6-4. Despite the shot advantage, the teams went into half time scoreless.
The second half was more of the same, going back-and-forth, trying to break the deadlock.
The break came in the 64th minute. Missouri won a corner, and Mizzou senior forward/midfielder Hayley Krentz swung the ball into the box. Tiger sophomore defender Jessica Greer got her head to the ball and put the Tigers ahead 1-0.
The coaching staff was not happy after allowing a goal from a corner-kick.
“They ran their student body to the goal, and we didn’t deal with it very well,” Hempen said. “We knew it was coming. We told [the defense] to be prepared for it and they still scored.”
After Missouri’s goal, Colorado flooded Missouri’s half, attempting to pull one back.
Colorado almost laid siege to the Tiger’s defense, creating several opportunities but never could. Even after going up a player after Missouri senior forward Alysha Bonnick was shown a red card, the Buffs could not find a way to get the ball in the back of the net.
The players were angry with themselves for not finding the tying goal.
“It’s horrible,” said CU junior midfielder Kate Russell. “We had so many people fighting for balls in the box, and couldn’t capitalize. [Missouri] did a good job fighting and tackling where they could.”
The team knows things need to change if they are going to have a chance to remain competitive in the Big 12.
“We just have to have the will, and we have to want to score,” Dohm said. “I feel right now we want to, but we don’t want it enough.
After good results earlier in the season, Colorado is disappointed in the recent performances.
“It’s a huge reality check for us after beating such good teams,” Russel said. “We need to get back to it, because we need to win four out of the next five games to get to the Big 12 [tournament].”
Colorado will try to get things back on track when they take on Iowa State Sunday at Prentup field. Kick-off is at 1 p.m.
Contact CU Independent Soccer Reporter Mark McNeillie at Mark.mcneillie@colorado.edu.
