After more than 14 months since their tight 0-1 loss to eventual NCAA Championship runner-up North Carolina, the soccer Buffs finally (hopefully) get to don their official kit and hit the pitch, as they're scheduled to host the Denver Pioneers at Kittredge Field*** tomorrow at noon. I know nothing about this year's DU team, but they always seem to give the Buffs a tough fight, and at the end of the 2019 season had a very respectable #66 RPI (the Buffs ended at #40).
It will be fascinating to see how the season unfolds, as the Buffs attempt to replace many GREAT now-graduated players (led by CU's all-time scoring (points) leader Taylor Kornieck and career winningest goalie JJ Tompkins) with a team which, in addition to many returning starters, includes one of if not their top ranked recruiting classes in history.
*** Per the preview linked to below, this will be the 1st time the Buffs have had an official match at Kittredge Field. (We're guessing it's because it has artificial turf as opposed to Prentup's natural grass.)
A free live stream is scheduled to provide coverage of the action.
Go Buffs!!!
Preview-
Direct link - https://cubuffs.com/news/2021/2/2/volleyball-colorado-returns-home-against-cal.aspx
"
BOULDER – Danny Sanchez and the Colorado soccer team have been rearing to go since the start of August. The Buffaloes will finally get that opportunity, opening the season against in-state rival Denver on Saturday.
Colorado was last seen walking off the field at North Carolina, closing the season with a 1-0 loss to the Tar Heels in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The wait has been more than a year in the making. 442 days come kickoff to be specific.
"It's been so long," junior captain Libby Geraghty expressed. "We cannot wait."
A lot has changed for the Buffs since last November. The Buffaloes will have to move on without two of its most visible players in program history. Gone are Taylor Kornieck and Jalen Tompkins, along with graduated seniors like Stephanie Zuniga, Kelsey Aaknes and Camilia Shymka, all key players for the Buffs in recent seasons.
...
The stakes are higher than ever this season. The NCAA has cut the postseason tournament field from 64 to 48 due to COVID-19. That potentially means the Pac-12 Conference, which routinely gets eight or nine teams in the field, could be limited this season.
As far as conference projections go, the conference's coaches slated Colorado to finish eighth in Wednesday's preseason coaches poll. Stanford, UCLA, USC and Washington State make up the top-four.
"It's going to be super competitive for all the conferences around the country to get to get multiple bids," Sanchez explained. "Fortunately for us, we play in the top conference, top to bottom. Three of the four final College Cup teams from 2019 come from our conference. We're excited about the challenge. It is super competitive in our conference but what it does is it provides opportunities to build a [postseason] resume. We're excited to get into our three preseason matches, before we head to Washington on February 26, to start conference play."
...
Due to the change in season from fall to spring, the Buffs will play the early portion of the schedule at Kittredge Field. It will be just the third home for CU soccer, joining Pleasant View Soccer Complex and Prentup Field. Another variable that might be in play is the unpredictable Colorado weather. CU is used to the occasional snow game in October or November, but now it might be more of a constant this season.
"We all know Colorado weather can be all over the place, especially this time of year," Sanchez joked. "I think the mentality of the team is they're just happy to be able to play. So if we're playing and it's 65 and sunny like today, that's great. If it's 25 and snowing I really don't think it will affect us.
"Rain, snow, or shine, the Buffs will be playing."
Saturday's kickoff is set for noon. The game will be streamed online at CUBuffs.com/WatchSoc. At this time, fans are not permitted.
"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A little more on the Pioneers -
Roster - https://denverpioneers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster
Stats (for last season) - https://denverpioneers.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2019#individual
Schedule - https://denverpioneers.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
Their preview article for the match - https://denverpioneers.com/news/202...nver-opens-campaign-at-colorado-saturday.aspx
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media links:
Live video - Match is scheduled to be available on free live stream at https://pac-12.com/live/cubuffs .
Live stats - https://cubuffs.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Match Notes - https://cubuffs.com/documents/2021/2/4/2_6_Denver.pdf
It will be fascinating to see how the season unfolds, as the Buffs attempt to replace many GREAT now-graduated players (led by CU's all-time scoring (points) leader Taylor Kornieck and career winningest goalie JJ Tompkins) with a team which, in addition to many returning starters, includes one of if not their top ranked recruiting classes in history.
*** Per the preview linked to below, this will be the 1st time the Buffs have had an official match at Kittredge Field. (We're guessing it's because it has artificial turf as opposed to Prentup's natural grass.)
A free live stream is scheduled to provide coverage of the action.
Go Buffs!!!
Preview-
Direct link - https://cubuffs.com/news/2021/2/2/volleyball-colorado-returns-home-against-cal.aspx
"
BOULDER – Danny Sanchez and the Colorado soccer team have been rearing to go since the start of August. The Buffaloes will finally get that opportunity, opening the season against in-state rival Denver on Saturday.
Colorado was last seen walking off the field at North Carolina, closing the season with a 1-0 loss to the Tar Heels in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The wait has been more than a year in the making. 442 days come kickoff to be specific.
"It's been so long," junior captain Libby Geraghty expressed. "We cannot wait."
A lot has changed for the Buffs since last November. The Buffaloes will have to move on without two of its most visible players in program history. Gone are Taylor Kornieck and Jalen Tompkins, along with graduated seniors like Stephanie Zuniga, Kelsey Aaknes and Camilia Shymka, all key players for the Buffs in recent seasons.
...
The stakes are higher than ever this season. The NCAA has cut the postseason tournament field from 64 to 48 due to COVID-19. That potentially means the Pac-12 Conference, which routinely gets eight or nine teams in the field, could be limited this season.
As far as conference projections go, the conference's coaches slated Colorado to finish eighth in Wednesday's preseason coaches poll. Stanford, UCLA, USC and Washington State make up the top-four.
"It's going to be super competitive for all the conferences around the country to get to get multiple bids," Sanchez explained. "Fortunately for us, we play in the top conference, top to bottom. Three of the four final College Cup teams from 2019 come from our conference. We're excited about the challenge. It is super competitive in our conference but what it does is it provides opportunities to build a [postseason] resume. We're excited to get into our three preseason matches, before we head to Washington on February 26, to start conference play."
...
Due to the change in season from fall to spring, the Buffs will play the early portion of the schedule at Kittredge Field. It will be just the third home for CU soccer, joining Pleasant View Soccer Complex and Prentup Field. Another variable that might be in play is the unpredictable Colorado weather. CU is used to the occasional snow game in October or November, but now it might be more of a constant this season.
"We all know Colorado weather can be all over the place, especially this time of year," Sanchez joked. "I think the mentality of the team is they're just happy to be able to play. So if we're playing and it's 65 and sunny like today, that's great. If it's 25 and snowing I really don't think it will affect us.
"Rain, snow, or shine, the Buffs will be playing."
Saturday's kickoff is set for noon. The game will be streamed online at CUBuffs.com/WatchSoc. At this time, fans are not permitted.
"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A little more on the Pioneers -
Roster - https://denverpioneers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster
Stats (for last season) - https://denverpioneers.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2019#individual
Schedule - https://denverpioneers.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
Their preview article for the match - https://denverpioneers.com/news/202...nver-opens-campaign-at-colorado-saturday.aspx
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media links:
Live video - Match is scheduled to be available on free live stream at https://pac-12.com/live/cubuffs .
Live stats - https://cubuffs.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Match Notes - https://cubuffs.com/documents/2021/2/4/2_6_Denver.pdf
