The University of Colorado women’s soccer team overcame a goal late from the USC Trojans to claim a 2-1 victory Friday at Prentup Field.
In a scoreless first half, the Buffs and Trojans traded possessions and fouls but both teams failed to find the back of the net. The Buffs threatened the Trojans in the 20th minute with shots from senior forward Anne Stuller and sophomore midfielder Olivia Pappalardo, but junior Trojan goalie Caroline Stanley managed to save both attempts.
Midfielder Madison Krauser goes up against a USC player Friday. She was the only freshman to start every game last year. (Gray Bender/CU Independent)
Buffs’ goalie, senior Annie Brunner, was challenged few times early in the game. Brunner, the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, received only three shots on goal and garnering her only save of the game in the first half.
It wasn’t until the 65th minute that freshman forward Brie Hooks broke the scoreless game with a goal assisted by freshman defender Alex Huynh. She sent the ball upfield on a free kick and connected with Hooks, who made the most of the chance and buried the goal past Stanley. The goal was Hooks’ eighth of the season, tying her with Stuller for the team lead. It was her first since returning from a knee injury that kept her off of the Buffs’ starting lineup for six games.
“As the game went on, I started getting my confidence back,” Hooks said. “That goal helps me get my feet back under me on the field.”
The Buffs extended their lead in the 71st minute with a goal from freshman midfielder Alyssa Herwatt. The goal, assisted by Hooks, was a bar-down finish that Herwatt managed to chip just out of reach of Stanley. It was Herwatt’s first of the season and also the first of her Buffs career.
“I’ve had a couple opportunities [to score] throughout the season and haven’t gotten one,” Herwatt said. “So I was really excited this one finally went in.”
USC didn’t give up. Trojan defender Marlee Carrillo, a sophomore, headed a goal in the 87th minute, cutting the Buffs’ lead to one. Carrillo’s header came off a free kick from Stanley, who came up and out of the Trojan goal to take the free kick close to midfield.
The Trojans were unable to tally a tying goal despite their aggression late in the game.
USC was booked for four yellow cards in the match, three of those coming in the final 10 minutes of play. The Trojans out-fouled the Buffs 22-12.
“I think it’s a Pac-12 competitive match,” CU Head Coach Danny Sanchez said in regard to the Trojans’ physical play. “I don’t feel there’s anything dirty. I think both teams were playing hard and competing.”
With Friday’s win, the Buffs move to 12-3-1 in the season, with a 4-2-1 record in the Pac-12.
The Buffs take on No. 2 UCLA Bruins at noon on Sunday at Prentup Field in what will be their last home game of the season.
“They’re a good team, definitely a favorite in the College Cup this year,” Stuller said. “But I think the way we’ve been playing, we can hang with them and we’re going for a result, a win, and we aren’t looking for anything less.”
With Friday’s win, the Buffs move to 12-3-1 in the season, with a 4-2-1 record in the Pac-12.
Contact CUIndependent staff writer Sam Routhier at Samuel.routhier@colorado.edu.
