Facing its first nationally-ranked opponent in seven years, the Valpo soccer team settled in after a tough start to the match, but the Beacons were unable to make any headway in the scoreline as #25 Colorado earned a 3-0 victory on Friday afternoon in Boulder, Colo.

How It Happened

• Colorado — which had scored five goals in each of its first two matches of the season — struck early on Friday, as Jenny Beyer found the back of the net with a free kick in the seventh minute.
• The Buffaloes doubled their lead in the 11^th minute as a set piece led to Shyra James putting one away from close range in the box.
• It was still a 2-0 score late in the first half when Valpo put together a good spell which resulted in a pair of shots on goal, including an effort from Cassidy Eckstein (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) from the top of the box which forced Colorado goalkeeper Dani Hansen to jump and push it over the crossbar.
• The Buffaloes closed out the scoring in the 63^rd minute on a goal from Civana Kuhlmann.
• Valpo had another strong chance a few minutes after Colorado’s third tally, but a lunging header by Molly O’Rear (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) at the far post off a cross was smothered by Colorado goalkeeper Bella Grust.

Inside the Match

• Valpo faced its first nationally-ranked foe since opening the 2015 season at #9 Notre Dame.
• Friday’s match was also the first in program history against a current Pac-12 side.
• Colorado’s opening goal snapped the Beacons’ shutout streak to open the season at 186 consecutive minutes.
• Colorado owned a 21-8 advantage in shots and put 11 on goal to Valpo’s three. Nikki Coryell (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) made eight saves in goal for the Beacons — the fifth time in her career she has stopped eight or more shots in a match.
• Valpo did claim four of the contest’s six corner kicks.
• 21 players saw action for the Beacons on Friday, including the season debuts for Dana Fish (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan North) and Cara Crompton (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville).
• Sophomore Emma Morrison (Canton, Mich./Plymouth-Canton) made her first career start for Valpo.
• Playing in their home state, Peyton Evans (Parker, Colo./Legend) saw 31 minutes of action and Lauren Cook (Littleton, Colo./D’Evelyn) got on the park for 14 minutes.

Thoughts From Coach Marovich

“The first 12 minutes were a bit rough — we didn't settle into the game quickly. We gave away two set pieces, allowed goals which were preventable, and put ourselves behind the eight ball.”

“After the second goal, we really responded well. We settled into the game and did a lot of really good things, which showed up in the shots we created and the possession we had. We were able to break Colorado down and had solutions to their pressure. The last pass into the final third was just a bit off.”

“I’m super proud of the team. We put ourselves in a bad situation to start the game, but after that, we represented really well. We played some nice soccer.”

“Thanks to all the fans who came out today — families, alumni, supporters. I’m so proud of the Valpo family, they were loud and proud today, and that shows how much impact our program has on people, which is what it’s about.”

Next Up

Valpo (1-1-1) concludes its two-match swing through the Centennial State on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. CT kickoff at Northern Colorado. The match can be seen live on ESPN+.