Boulder, Colo. - The University of Arizona Wildcat soccer team took on the Colorado Buffaloes on Sunday afternoon in Boulder, Colo. The Wildcats lost 3-1 to Colorado and moved to 10-6-2 (4-5-1 Pac-12) on the season while Colorado improved to 12-6-1 (5-4-1 Pac-12) this season.
It was not an ideal start for the Wildcats. At the 5:36 mark, Colorado drew a foul inside the 18-yard box and won a penalty kick. Darcy Jerman stepped up to the spot to take and she converted, kicking the ball high and into the right corner of the goal.
Arizona was able to maintain possession for quite a bit early in the first half but were unable to break down the Colorado defense for quality shots. Freshman Cali Crisler and junior Alexa Montgomery both took long shots that required saves from Colorado's goalkeeper Kate Scheele. Sophomore Jaden DeGracie had multiple quality flip throw-ins for the Wildcats in attack but they were unable to convert on any of them.
Jerman looked to put in her second goal of the match later in the first half but the crossbar was good to senior goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman and prevented the goal.
Late in the second half junior Lexe Selman was doing a good job of maintaining possession for the Wildcats, stringing together passes and trying to beat the Buffaloes defense. Selman created a shot of her own with the left foot, but Scheele saved the long shot.
Arizona had four shots on the half and three were on target. They committed two fouls and won two corner kicks. Colorado had seven shots and one was on target. They committed four fouls and won a corner kick.
At the 52:46 mark, Colorado took a two-goal lead courtesy of Brittney Stark. Stark seemed to get tangled with UA senior defender Mykaylin Rosenquist while she was making a run. Rosenquist went down, leaving Stark alone on goal. Kaufman came off her line to charge at Stark but she took a touch around Kaufman and scored on the open net.
Selman had a nice left-footed shot again but it sailed just high and wide of the upper left corner of the goal. She also got the end of a cross from junior Kaitlyn Lopez but was unable to have a crack at it.
At the 71:48 mark, Arizona got on the scoreboard with a penalty kick of their own. The Colorado defender inside the 18-yard box handled sophomore Laura Pimienta's ball sent into the box and the referee awarded the penalty to the Wildcats. Freshman Gabi Stoian took the penalty kick and converted, a textbook shot into the side netting for her 13th goal of the season fifth in the last four matches. Stoian's 13 goals are tied for the second-best total in UA history for goals in a season.
Arizona looked to equalize in the 77th minute with a flip throw-in from DeGracie that was flicked on nicely by senior Alexandra Doller. Senior Julia Glanz was in the area but was unable to handle it. Moments late freshman Cece Bilginer had a cracking shot inside the 18-yard box but it was right at Scheele. She couldn't catch it but blocked it straight down and was able to gather it.
The Wildcats brought lots of numbers forward to get the equalizing goal and Colorado took advantage of that. The Buffaloes were able to win back possession and counter attack, Emily Paxton found Madison Krauser on the breakaway and she finished it off with a goal at the 87:21 mark.
The Wildcats tallied nine shots and five were on target. Arizona committed seven fouls and won two corner kicks. The Buffaloes had 15 shots and five were on target. The Buffaloes were called for 12 fouls, including a yellow card being assessed to Paxton at the 73:07 mark. They also won four corner kicks.
The regular season finale for the Wildcats will take place on Friday, Nov. 7 against the Sun Devils of Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz. Last year, Arizona won 2-0 in Tucson.
For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat soccer, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and follow @ArizonaWSoccer on Twitter.
