Font ResizeA day after both the football and volleyball teams fell away from the friendly confines of Boulder, the CU soccer team suffered its eighth loss in nine true road games this season, losing 1-0 in double overtime at Texas on Sunday.
Colorado has lost four of its last five games and fell into a tie for third place in the Big 12 with Texas and Oklahoma State. CU began this weekend`s road trip in second place.
"We knew Texas was going to be a difficult team to play," Buffs coach Bill Hempen said. "They have been plagued by injuries but still managed to fight for the win. They rallied around their injured players and each other and were able to hold us off and give themselves a chance to win the game and they did."
The teams battled through regulation scoreless. CU`s best scoring opportunity came early when, in the 18th minute, senior midfielder Kelly Menachof fired a hard shot toward the Longhorns` goal. Texas` goalkeeper Alexa Gaul left her feet and made a diving save.
In the second half, seniorNikki Marshall sent a cross into the box for her sister, freshman Shaye Marshall. The younger Marshall beat a Texas defender and headed the ball towards the goal, but missed just high.
Texas responded with its best scoring chance in the 75th minute. Kate Nicholson sent a hard shot toward the goal, but Buffs keeper Kara Linder made a diving save in the air to keep the Longhorns out of the net.
Texas kept the pressure on in overtime, out-shooting CU 4-1. Amanda Lisberger trapped a pass in the box and turned 180 degrees to volley a shot that Linder tipped up to hit the crossbar and keep out of the net. The save was Linder`s fifth and last of the game.
In the second overtime, Texas was awarded a free kick in the 101st minute. Leah Payne sent a high ball into the middle of the Colorado goal box, the ball bounced once and Sophie Campise one-touched it into the back of the net for a Texas victory.
"Since Nikki (Marshall) scored her four goals against Oklahoma, we`ve only scored two since that in five games," Hempen said. "When you`re averaging less than half a goal a game over a five-game period, you can`t win."
With the loss, Colorado fell to 8-9-0 overall and 5-4-0 in Big 12 play. Texas improved to 8-7-3 overall and 4-2-3 in conference.
"It appears to me that they`re trying hard, but there`s something missing and I can`t figure out what the deal is," Hempen said. "We`re all hurt. The team is hurt. The staff is hurt. We think we`re doing the right thing but they can`t seem to catch a break, and we have to fight our way out of it. We still have a game to play next week and we need to come out and win."
The Buffs close out the regular season at Prentup Field on Friday against Texas Tech. The 3 p.m. game will air live on FSN and CU will honor its seniors, Linder, Menachof, Nikki Marshall and Ally Goodman.
CU will also be celebrating Kick or Treat before the match. Kids and adults are invited to wear costumes and trick or treat with other student athletes. Everyone wearing a costume will have a chance to win prizes, starting at 2 p.m. The first 100 fans will also receive a free autographed poster by the seniors.
