After going 2-0 to start the 2016 season, University of Colorado women’s soccer seems to be on a cold streak. A close match at the University of Kansas left the Buffaloes empty-handed on Friday, followed by a 2-1 loss to the University of Missouri Sunday.
Against Kansas, the Buffs controlled several aspects of the game. Colorado led the Jayhawks in a number of statistical categories, including shots, and shots on goal, before losing 1-0.
Kansas scored early in the game, when freshman forward Mandi Duggan had a one-on-one situation with sophomore goalkeeper Scout Watson. Watson left the game in the middle of the first half due to injury, and was relieved in the net by redshirt freshman Jalen Tompkins. Tompkins registered four saves.
Colorado played a cleaner game after the switch, but it wasn’t enough. The Buffs failed to score, missing each of their eight shots on goal.
The Buffs’ matchup against Missouri on Sunday was an even harder pill to swallow. Both teams scored early in the game, and things went into overtime where Mizzou pulled away for the win. The Buffs were outshot 24-15 and registered eight fouls to the Tigers’ seven.
Junior Missouri midfielder Kaitlyn Clark scored early in the third minute of the game after breaking away from Colorado’s defense, but sophomore midfielder Sarah Kinzer answered 20 minutes later with a long shot to the back of the net.
A stalemate ensued for the rest of regulation. Fate smiled upon Missouri in the 94th minute, manifesting itself in a game-winning header from freshman forward Sarah Luebbert.
Despite the loss, Tompkins had a historic night. Her 12 saves were more than any freshman goalie in school history, and the total was the most saves made by a CU goalie since Kirstin Radlinski stopped 12 against Oklahoma State in 2008.
The team will look to rebound Thursday when they take on Michigan State at home. Play is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. MST.
Contact CU Independent Copy Editor Jake Mauff at jacob.mauff@colorado.edu.
