BYU women’s soccer falls to Colorado in first round of NCAA Tournament

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For the second year in a row, Colorado eliminated BYU in the NCAA tournament. The Cougars fought hard in a snowy, cold match in Boulder but were unable to find the net, losing 2-0.

Colorado scored quickly when Olivia Pappalardo took a shot from 20 yards out in the seventh minute. Starting defender Avery Calton left the game with an injury in the 13th minute and didn’t return.

The Buffs added to their lead in the 53rd minute when Madison Krauser scored off a cross from Morgan Stanton.

Sarah Chambers fights for the ball against Colorado on a snowy field. (Courtesy Boulder Daily Photo)

BYU outshot its opponent 20-10, but Colorado had nine shots on goal compared to the Cougars’ eight. Colorado tested Katherine Snyder, the Cougars’ keeper, throughout the afternoon. Snyder made the second most saves in BYU tournament history with seven. Colorado’s keeper, Kate Scheele, was forced to make eight saves.

The Cougars outplayed the Buffaloes at times, especially during the final 15 minutes of the game, when they took five shots.

Marissa Nimmer led BYU in shots with four, two of those on goal. Ashley Hatch had three shots with two on goal, while Nadia Gomes took three shots. Jaiden Thornock, Michelle Murphy and Niki Fernandes each took two shots.

Since 2005, the Cougars have qualified for the NCAA tournament all but one year. This was the Cougars’ first opening-round loss since 2007, when they lost to Texas 2-0.

This was the final game for seniors Annie Amos, Thornock, Snyder and Fernandes.

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