The University of Colorado women’s soccer team currently sits at third place within the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffs, like Southern California and Stanford, hold a 7-1 record in conference play. Slightly better overall records are all that separate the Cardinals and Trojans from the 13-4 overall Buffaloes.
Colorado has three remaining games left before the postseason — all are home games. The Buffs are hunting for a Pac-12 title, but to do so, they will likely have to take down UCLA, USC and Utah. Colorado’s final three contests have a combined season record of 35-9-4.
“We just have to work together and work hard, that’s all it takes,” freshman midfielder Taylor Kornieck said. “We just have to finish our chances.”
As tough of a task it may be, the Buffaloes certainly aren’t unfamiliar with putting together win streaks. This season, after losing three straight contests early in the season, the team rebounded and won 10 consecutive games before losing 2-0 to No. 3 Stanford.
“We had some games where we needed to get results and [we] got it, so we got a little momentum,” head coach Danny Sanchez said.
“A little momentum” might be an understatement. This year, Colorado has blown away the competition. The Buffs have outscored opponents 33-14 this season and enemy teams average just 0.82 goals per game against CU. Additionally, the team has averaged 15.4 shots on goals per game compared to opponents’ 13.6. Colorado is also perfect on penalty kicks this year, having converted 3 of 3 attempts.
“We just have to keep believing in each other and keep winning and we’ll be good,” senior forward Danica Evans said.
The Buffaloes play UCLA at home this Thursday at 3 p.m. For the Buffs, Bruins, Trojans and Utes, the last few games of the season will be the survival of the fittest. Any slip-ups could cost the teams heavily.
“Practice has been really serious. We’re training really hard trying to get ready for these big games,” Kornieck said.
As the end of the season nears, the Buffaloes as a team understand that they control their own destiny.
“In the end, it’s going to [come] down to how much heart we have,” Evans said. “It’s how much we’re willing to give in those final moments … if we continue to fight together as a team, I don’t think there [will be] error.”
Contact CU Independent Head Sports Editor Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo.
