Colorado Buffaloes
Overall Rank: #36
#5 Pac-12
Colorado Team Page
There were some ups and downs in Pac-12 play, but overall Colorado is coming off of an impressive campaign in which they earned their first tournament berth since 2008. In the NCAA Tournament they recorded wins over very good Denver and BYU squads. The Buffaloes became the third victim of Florida State’s romp to the College Cup in the Sweet 16, but there is no shame in that. Now it is time for Coach Danny Sanchez to keep that momentum going.
2013 Record: 14-7-2, 4-5-2
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Danny Sanchez
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Brie Hooks, Sophomore, F, 8
Assists: Madison Krauser, Junior, F, 6
Shots: Brie Hooks, Sophomore, F, 42
Saves: None
Other Key Returnees: F Emily Paxton, F Tori Cooper, F Hannah Dearborn, M Darcy Jerman, M Alyssa Herwatt, M Carly Bolyard, D Bianca Jones, D Alex Huynh, D Brooke Rice, D Heather Ward
Key Losses: F Anne Stuller, GK Annie Brunner, M Olivia Pappalardo, D Hayley Hughs, D Lizzy Herzl
Strengths:
Losing Anne Stuller, who totaled nine goals and eight assists during her senior season, will be problematic for a little while, but Colorado has plenty of talent up front. Brie Hooks had a superb freshman campaign, scoring eight goals and tallying two assists. While most of Hooks’ scoring came early, she was still a huge part of the team’s success down the stretch. A two-year starter, junior Madison Krauser is the team’s top returner in assists with six and second in goals, with four. Now an upperclassman, Krauser is ready for an even bigger role. Emily Paxton stepped into the starting lineup at the end of the 2013 season, but has also been a very productive player off of the bench. Starting or not, Paxton will be among Colorado’s most productive forwards. Darcy Jerman, Alyssa Herwatt and Carly Bolyard will lead the midfield, while four key defenders also return.
Weaknesses:
Defender Lizzy Herzl will not be easy to replace, but the biggest loss in the back is that of four-year starting keeper Annie Brunner. Brunner has been one of Colorado’s best goalies ever and the record books prove it. Replacing her will be nearly impossible. Coach Sanchez’s options begin with Kate Scheele. The transfer from Colorado College recorded 13 shutouts with the Tigers and helped them earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Scout Watson should give Scheele some competition, but Scheele’s two years of experience playing at this level should make the difference.
Final Projection:
Eight of Colorado’s first ten games are at home and every one of them is winnable. The toughest game comes in Boulder against Denver on September 12th. After the big home stand, Colorado hits the road for five straight Pac-12 games before finishing up with five consecutive home games to close out the regular season. That road stretch includes games against UCLA and Stanford, arguably the two toughest teams in the conference. Even with presumed losses in those two contests, that road stretch will likely be hugely important for the Buffaloes. If they can get through it with a couple wins, this should be a team headed back to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.43 (141st in nation, 7th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 1.096 (113, 7)
Shutout Percentage: 0.391 (82, 6)
Save Percentage: 0.772 (175, 11)
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#95 Virginia Reeves
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
