The previously undefeated University of Denver women’s soccer team hosted No. 22 Colorado in an interstate showdown Friday night. DU’s final out-of-conference game would prove to be their toughest, as the Crimson and Gold suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 3-1 to the Buffaloes in front of a packed crowd.
DU started the game on the front foot, applying pressure on the CU defense, which led to a few early opportunities. Junior forward Samantha Dreiling forced a save out of the Colorado keeper within the opening five minutes, however, the best chance of the early exchanges would come at the ten-minute mark.
Senior defender Jordan Crockett picked up the ball and delivered a beautiful cross that fell at the feet of graduate senior forward Kaitlyn Glover, but Glover’s shot hit the post. This was to be Denver’s best opportunity in open play for the entire game.
After weathering the initial DU surge, Colorado began to settle into the game and attack with more intent. Their efforts culminated when they won a penalty following a rash tackle by Crockett in the box. When freshman goalkeeper Molly Wissman saved the original penalty attempt, it looked as if DU had gotten off the hook, but the official ruled that Wissman jumped off her line too early, and the penalty was retaken. Wissman could not save the retake, with CU’s Jade Babcock sending her the wrong way and firing the ball into the net to give the Buffaloes a 1-0 lead.
The rest of the first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to find another goal. CU had more control in the latter stages of the half, but did not create any big chances from open play.
Early in the second half, disaster struck for the Crimson and Gold with Crockett giving away another penalty after another tackle, almost identical to the move earlier in the game. CU’s Rachel Rosen stepped up and slotted the penalty, this time on her first attempt.
After the second CU goal, Denver began to ramp up the pressure in an attempt to find a way back into the game. Their efforts paid off in the 58th minute when DU got a penalty kick of their own. Glover stepped up and calmly put the ball past the keeper to make it a 2-1 game. This gave the team, as well as the 1,761-person crowd, the energy it had previously been lacking.
However, the good times would not last for long. Less than two minutes after the goal, Rosen whipped in a free kick which the Buffs’ Shyra James got on the end of, putting the ball in the back of the net and delivering a knockout blow.
This goal would knock the wind out of Denver’s sails and CU would comfortably see out the rest of the game.
The 3-1 loss was DU’s first loss of the season, meaning the Crimson and Gold are still well-positioned for conference play. They have dominated the Summit League in recent years and they will look to do the same this time around. Their first conference game will come on Saturday, September 23 at 7 p.m. when they will host Oral Roberts.
