Close Chances Don't Fall UW's Way At Colorado

Friday, October 14

Boulder, Colo.

2:00 PM

University of Washington

6-8-1, 1-5-0Pac-12

Colorado

12-3-0, 6-0-0Pac-12

Washington

Colorado

October 14, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Colorado Final Box Score

BOULDER, Colo. – Despite keeping the ball in the opponent's half for most of the second period, the Washington women's soccer team was unable to find the back of the net for an equalizer, falling to No. 23 Colorado 2-1 at Prentup Field today.

"Really tough loss for us," said Washington head coach Lesle Gallimore. "We understood and were prepared for the way Colorado plays and where they've found success. We knew we'd have space and when we kept the ball and built, we were extremely dangerous."

The Buffaloes opened up the match with the offensive push, taking their first shots within the first three minutes, as Sarah Shimer got an early save in the 2nd on a ball sent in from the top of the box. In the 13th minute of the match, Kimberly Keever made a great move in the box to dodge a defender for a shot opportunity, but Colorado's keeper, Jalen Thompson, ran out to stop the shot in its tracks.

In the 31st, Danica Evans of Colorado snuck a lob from the top of the box just over Shimer, to take the 1-0 lead over UW. But after being denied earlier, Keever led the charge for an equalizer, taking a shot in front of the net that went just high in the 32nd, before finding her opening in the 34th. On a quick cross to the junior forward, Keever ripped an uncontested shot from the left of the goal to the far post, evening the score up 1-1 on her second goal of the season.

"Kimby was very dangerous and netted one, but I'm sure there are two more opportunities she'd like to have back," said Gallimore. "Paige Serwold came in as a reserve today and did an outstanding job as well."

Minutes later, Evans found the net for a second time for the Buffaloes, chipping a ball up to herself as Shimer charged and sneaking a kick past the keeper.

"We out-created them in both halves including creating their goals," said Gallimore. "It has been problematic for us the way we give opportunities to the opponent."

To open up the second half, junior transfer Kaylyn Smith came in for UW at goalkeeper for her 6th appearance on the year, but saw little action come her way. Looking to even up the score, the Husky offense led by Keever and Shannon Simon took 10 shots in the second half, beginning with two by Keever in the 49th and 51st minutes, each of which just missed the posts.

In the 66th minute, Simon ripped a free kick at the Colorado goal, but Thompson was there to barely get a hand on the ball for the stop. The midfielder was once again denied an equalizer by Colorado's goalie in the 75th minute, and just missed the net on a beautiful strike off a free kick that bounced off the crossbar in the 87th. Freshman Asia Brisco was there for the rebound after Simon's close call, getting a good touch on the ball before the two-time Pac-12 keeper of the week for the Buffaloes made another save.

"I thought we found the equalizer on Shannon's free kick," said Gallimore. "Asia Brisco followed up and credit to the Buffs' keeper, she was good when they needed it the most."

Washington will return home for practice this week before heading back out on the road to play two of the nation's best, when they face No. 14 UCLA on Thursday October 20th at 5 p.m., and No. 6 USC on Sunday October 23rd at 11 a.m.

"We will keep working to get results with five games left and we will scratch and claw the whole way," said Gallimore. "We don't enjoy losing, we haven't accepted losing and we won't coach or play with anything less than a winning mentality."