Sept. 21, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's soccer team got back to their winning ways on Sunday, handing a 2-1 defeat to Colorado College at the Varsity Soccer Complex. Neither team saw many chances to score, but the Boilermakers took advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves.
Junior Loredana Riverso and freshman Alex Jenkins each tallied goals for Purdue. Jenkins led the team with three shots, including two shots on goal, as her aggressive play was a bright spot for the Boilermaker attack. Purdue finished the match with just four shots on goal, compared to only three for Colorado College.
Senior Amy Burrell and junior Katie Seeger played key roles in the Boilermakers' solid defensive effort. Burrell came away with several big deflections and clearances and Seeger played with a high level of intensity and was all over the field.
After a back-and-forth first 25 minutes, Riverso scored her first goal since Aug. 31 at Oregon. In the 26th minute, freshman Kellie Phillips sent in a cross from the left side of the box. Colorado College goalkeeper Geneva Sills and a defender mishandled the ball, leaving the door open for Riverso to glide in and dribble the ball into an open net.
Purdue kept the momentum going in the 38th minute, when Jenkins notched her first career goal on what was one of the prettiest plays the Boilermakers have made all season. Senior Felicia Schroeder dribbled the ball up the left side of the field and found Riverso streaking down an open lane. Riverso drew a defender and hit Jenkins in the middle of the box. Sills charged on the play, but Jenkins hit a beautiful right-footed shot that put the Boilermakers up 2-0.
The intensity picked up in the second half, with Purdue being charged with 13 fouls. The Boilermakers finished the match with 17 foul calls, their highest single-game total since Sept. 22, 2006 against Ohio State.
Colorado College tacked on a goal in the 86th minute when Tiffany Brown took a header off a free kick. The Boilermakers maintained their intensity for the last four minutes, however, to hold on to the 2-1 victory.
Today was also Go Green Day at the Varsity Soccer Complex. The Boilermakers wore commemorative green uniforms that were auctioned off during the game. The promotions earned $1,880 that will go towards Purdue's Celery Bog Initiative and the World Wildlife Fund.
Purdue is back on the road next weekend when they start Big Ten play at Northwestern on Friday and Wisconsin on Sunday. First kick in Evanston is slated for 8 p.m. ET.