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Defenders get the goals as CU tops Utah
BOULDER — The defenders on the University of Colorado soccer team do more than just protect their goal; they attack the other team, too. With three minutes to play on Saturday at Prentup Field, outside defender Kym Lowry knocked in a rebound for the winning goal as the Buffs defeated Utah 2-1.
Sophomore Kate Russell took a direct kick about four yards outside the Utah box, and defender Mary White headed the initial cross. While the Utes scrambled to clear White’s header, Lowry squeezed in and buried her chance.
“Mary White was on the back post, and she just headed it in. And the ball came into the air, and I just kneed it in,” Lowry said. “I usually don’t score.”
CU’s first goal came seven minute into the game and was scored by another member of the team’s back line. Freshman Erin Bricker sent the ball down the left side to sophomore Kassidy Fitzpatrick, who made a low cross to the top of the box. Outside defender Kelly Ross fired the ball past Utah’s Hannah Turpen and into the upper-right side of the net for the first goal of her CU career.
“It was definitely a rush,” Ross said. “As soon as I saw the ball get to Bricker, I noticed she had nowhere to turn. So she let the ball through, and I just hit it as hard as I could. I stood up and saw that I had scored; it was definitely a really great feeling.”
The offensive output of CU’s high-flying defense did not escape the eye of coach Bill Hempen.
“Our forwards weren’t effective today, and they looked tired,” Hempen said. “Even though I know they were giving it their all, they just couldn’t capitalize today. We ended up getting two goals from our defenders, which is good. But next time we would like to see one of our forwards put one in.”
After Ross’s goal, the action subsided in the first half.
Utah had a couple chances to score but had no luck. Chelsea Forbes took a shot only to have it sail right to CU goalkeeper Kara Linder. And when Utah senior Kelly Isleib took a free kick from about 30 yards, she couldn’t connect with a teammate before the Buffaloes cleared it out of the box.
In the 54th minute, though, Utah junior Lauren Hair crossed the ball to sophomore Erin Dalley, who volleyed it in. Dalley’s goal tied the score at 1-1 and set the stage for Lowry’s late winning goal.
With the win, Colorado improved to 4-2 overall; the Utes fell to 5-3.
Utah finished the match outshooting CU 14-13, but the Buffs were able to get six shots on goal to the Utes’ five. Linder and Turpen recorded four saves each.
Colorado will wrap up the weekend on Sunday in Gainesville, Fla., against No. 14 Florida. Fans can follow the action live at gatorzone.com/soccer. CU will not be back in Boulder until Sept. 25, when the Buffs host Nebraska.
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