Matches Thread- #25 SOCCER hosts Valparaiso (Friday, 8/26/22, 4:00 PM MT) & visits #9 BYU (Monday, 3:00 PM MT)

[Bmixer]

It was BYU’s quantity - 70% possession and 31 shots versus Colorado’s quality - 6 shots, 2 goals. The final score was 2-2.

Watching the match, in some it’s hard to believe CU was able to tie this match. For great stretches of time BYU won almost every second ball around midfield which allowed they to push into the attack quickly and with little opposition. That is until they attempted to get the ball into the box where CU was frequently able to close space and block shots. Of the 31 shots taken by BYU only 8 were on target. Many of these shots were from outside the box.

At this point, it needs to be mentioned that Bella Grust started in goal. The assumption is that regular starter Dani Hansen was injured. For the most part she did very well with the possible exception of BYU’s first goal which came from outside the box and she seemed to have covered but somehow it went through her.

Kudos to CU’s quick response to BYU’s goal. Jenny Beyer bent in an olimpico off a corner which seemed to confound the keeper who punched it only after it had crossed the line.

With BYU continuing to win most of the second balls and getting into the final third the Buffs conceded again from a shot outside the box. This time Grust had no chance to make the save on a wonderfully stuck curling shot.

Still, the Buffs didn’t give up. And finally they got the chance they are built for when Juliuana hit a through ball to Shyra James who held off defenders as she dibbled until the keeper started to come out at which point she hit a perfect shot across goal and into the net. One shot, one goal for James in this match. That’s quality. And she has now scored in 8 consecutive matches.

BYU wasn’t done, but CU was able to hang on for the final 10 minutes.

This was a great result for CU. At the same time, they have to figure out how to control more possession starting with winning second balls off goal kicks, etc.

The heat may have had an impact on the match and the pitch looked in poor condition. Not these factors made a difference or not. Two field players went the full 90, Hannah Sharts and Lawson Willis.

CU returns home to face D1 newcomers Texas A&M - Commerce on Thursday afternoon.

that seems to be the story every time they play a top opponent. They do not control the ball and give up lots of chances. that needs to change

 

[AztecBuff]

Match highlights -

 

[MarkW]