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The Nikki Marshall show: Buffs milestones fall in 5-1 win over OU
BOULDER — Nikki Marshall scored four goals as the University of Colorado soccer team improved to 4-0 in the Big 12 after beating Oklahoma 5-1 on Friday at Prentup Field.
Marshall, a senior, opened the scoring on an assist from sophomore Kelly Butler in the 21st minute.
And after Butler assisted Marshall’s first goal, Marshall returned the favor. She passed the ball off to Butler, who drilled it into the back of the net in the 36th minute for a 2-1 lead and what would prove to be the winning goal and a Buffaloes milestone.
Marshall, who already owns CU’s career records for total goals and winning goals, became CU’s all-time points leader with the assist on Butler’s goal. With 85 career points, Marshall broke former CU All-American Fran Munnelly’s record of 84.
“I’ve said this before, but to be on the same platform as Fran Munnelly and Katie Griffin, these big-time players at CU, is just a privilege,” Marshall said. “To say that I’ve beaten Fran’s record is pretty cool.”
Marshall struck again on assist from senior Kelly Menachof early in the second half then capped the game with two unassisted second-half goals in which she dribbled past Oklahoma defenders.
Marshall’s four goals extended her career total (and the CU record) to 91.
ANOTHER RECORD FOR MARSHALL: Marshall’s three second-half goals set the speed mark for Colorado, coming in a span of just 4 minutes, 46 seconds.
SHE ONLY TIED THIS RECORD: Four goals in one match also is a record, but one that had been set previously. Any guesses as to who did it? Yes, it was Marshall against Clemson in 2006, her freshman season.
NEARLY ANOTHER POINT (PART 1): The Buffaloes would’ve had a sixth goal, and Marshall would’ve had another point, if it weren’t for an offsides call. Marshall split the defense and got the ball to Amanda Foulk, but the would-be goal was disallowed.
NEARLY ANOTHER POINT (PART 2): It’s starting to sound like a broken record, but … Marshall would’ve had another goal but was denied by the crossbar and the Sooners’ defense. Marshall hit the crossbar, and the ball bounced right on the goal line before OU freshman Kelsey Devonshire jumped on it and cleared it.
CLOSE BUT CROSSBAR: CU sophomore Kassidy Fitzpatrick also hit the crossbar. A 5-1 result is probably considered a blowout, but this result could’ve been much worse.
SOONERS GOAL: Throughout the game, Oklahoma junior Whitney Palmer used her speed against the CU defense. In the 25th minute, she turned with the ball and sped past CU defenders, scoring in the lower right corner. The Sooners (6-5-1 overall, 1-2 Big 12) nearly found the back of the net in the 10th minute, when Whitney Palmer and Jordan White managed to sneak behind CU’s defense. Palmer played a quick pass to White in front of the goal, and she fired a hard shot on the ground toward goalkeeper Kara Linder. Linder quickly reacted and made the save.
CHANGING STRATEGY: The CU women had a hard time connecting passes in the first half then started attacking along the sidelines.
HEMPEN MILESTONE: The CU coach reached the 100-victory plateau with the victory. Colorado improved to 7-5 this season. “This game where we actually played pretty good too, along with scoring the goals as opposed to it just being ugly,” Hempen said. “We started to connect some passes that we weren’t able to connect, even a week and a half ago. So I’m pleased with the way they played.”
WHAT’S NEXT? The Buffaloes will travel to Baylor for a Sunday match, the first of a five-game road trip.
CU STARTERS: Linder, Menachof, Ross, Barczuk, Krier, Lowry, Fitzpatrick, Butler, Russell, Foulk, Marshall.
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