Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Saturday, 6:30 PM – (4) Denver vs Colorado

Denver probably figured they were going to be hosting a derby in some fashion before the draw was announced last Monday, though they probably weren’t totally sure of whether they’d be seeded or not or who their opponent was going to be. Some figured Colorado College or Utah, but instead, Colorado sneaked into the field, setting up the fiercest of all state derbies between these two sides. Denver will have fond memories of their first meeting this season, a 3-0 pasting at CIBER Field in mid-September that extended the club’s winning streak to seven games. They’d go winless in the next two but have won eleven in a row since to come into the NCAA Tournament on a roll. The Pioneers smashed everyone in the Summit League, only failing to win by multiple goals on one occasion in both league and conference tournament. They handled non-conference play pretty well also, though you have to note they really played just one “elite” team, losing to Nebraska in a close one. The scoring duo of Kristen Hamilton and Nicholette DiGiacomo have proven to be a nightmare to defend this season, totaling twenty-seven goals and twenty assists between them. One only has to ask Maryland to get a picture of what DiGiacomo can do in the postseason after last year’s hat trick. The Pioneers are pretty stout defensively as well, though they were hardly pushed in the league. Jessy Battelli is the rock in the backline that also features standouts like Sam Harder, Cassidy Larson, and Sara Riazi. Cassidy Rey has done well in taking over in goal as well, though Colorado’s the most potent offense they’ve faced in a while. The biggest question going into the NCAA Tournament for Denver has to be how much rust there’ll be after having not been put up against a team of similar calibre since facing (and beating) BYU in late September. A lack of sharpness could be fatal to their hopes of a deep run. They got a great draw in probably facing two teams they’ve already seen and beat though. If they play up to their potential, Denver could well return to the Sweet Sixteen after last year’s run.

Colorado will come into this one with distinct hopes of avenging their earlier crushing defeat to Denver this season. Truthfully, CU weren’t exactly destroyed like the scoreline might indicate at first blush, but they did wear down late, with three goals coming in the final thirty minutes. Denver simply made better use of their chances, much to the Buffs’ chagrin. The Buffs come into this in woeful form though, having won just one of their past six, barely squeaking into the tournament. The defense has been a prime culprit down the stretch, with the team having given up ten goals in the past six, including multiple goals in the past three, all away from home. The towering Lizzy Herzl is big and burly enough to keep many forwards at bay, but on the whole, CU’s defense has not been that impressive this season, contributing to a -6 goal differential in the league. Colorado’s modus operandi, especially early, was to use the duo of Anne Stuller and Brie Hooks to overpower teams offensively. The two have combined for sixteen goals, but it has to be said that Hooks is still a freshman who missed almost a quarter of the season through injury, while Stuller wasn’t exactly the most economical forward in the land, needing eighty-six shots to get those eight goals, though she did contribute with seven assists. Danny Sanchez is certainly making progress in Boulder, and you’d have to be a fool to discount anyone in such a fierce derby like this. But the tea leaves are definitely not pointing Colorado’s way going into this one. I don’t think Denver’s going to be rusty enough for CU to take advantage, and while they probably aren’t going to get pounded, I still see a decisive defeat in the Buffs’ future.

Prediction – Denver 2 – 0 Colorado

Colorado Tournament Prediction – First Round
Denver Tournament Prediction – Sweet Sixteen

Send to Facebook

Tweet This Post

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Soccer
• Sports
• W. College Soccer

This post is related to an ongoing story:

• 2013 NCAA Soccer

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

View jennaawk's Full Profile