Colorado stumbles at Purdue

It was a tale of two halves for the University of Colorado women’s soccer team against Purdue on Sunday. It was the Buffaloes who scored first but it was the Boilermakers who scored most, overtaking CU 3-1 at Folk Field.

Junior Tessa Barton, who celebrated a birthday on Sunday, scored the Buffs’ lone goal. Junior Dani Hansen made three saves in the losing effort as Colorado dropped to 4-3-0 on the season.

“Overall, it was a disappointing result,” head coach Danny Sanchez said postgame. “Purdue is a good team, playing well at home. However, we didn’t do enough, especially at the beginning of the second half to deserve a result. It was a great start for us. It was a little disappointing to give up the equalizer, but we still felt good going into the second half.”

CU was the stronger team in the first 45 minutes, outshooting Purdue 5-2 on net. Purdue goalkeeper Marisa Bova had four saves in the first frame to keep Purdue in the hunt. A bad bounce off Jayden Newkirk was the only reason the game was knotted at one at the half.

Purdue (5-1-2) started fast in the second half, recording the first six shots. The Boilermakers, who are unbeaten at home this season, finished the day outshooting CU 16-14 and totaled four corner attempts to the Buffs’ three. Bova kept her cool after allowing the goal, finishing with seven saves on the afternoon.

“We just couldn’t find our rhythm in the second half,” Sanchez added. “We give up the (second) goal and as we’re still feeling sorry for ourselves, we give up another goal. That basically put the game away. I’m proud of how we battled in the end. It’s just difficult to come back from down two games in the second half.”

The Buffs conclude nonconference play next week on the road. CU will have all week to prepare for instate rival Denver, kicking off at 1 p.m. next Sunday.