They're ready.

After winning seven consecutive matches the 21st-ranked Colorado soccer team is looking forward to the Big 12 grind.

The Buffs (7-1-1) did some fine-tuning on Sunday during a 4-1 victory over Fresno State in the Colorado Classic at Prentup Field.

CU dominated play with 23 shots compared to 12 for the Bulldogs (2-6), including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. Head coach Bill Hempen was able to make 11 substitutions compared to four for the winded visitors.

Now the Buffs will catch their collective breath before hosting Oklahoma on Friday and No. 13 Oklahoma State on Sunday.

"I think we are ready," senior Nikki Keller declared after scoring her first game-winning goal of the season. "Today we moved the ball better than I've ever seen us and we finished the chances we needed to finish in order to win. We're definitely ready and excited for Big 12 play."

Despite a very strong start to the match, CU settled for a 1-1 tie at the intermission.

Kelly Butler had two shots denied by Kaitlyn Revel in the first seven minutes and had apromising pass scooped up by the Bulldogs goalkeeper a split-second before Nikki Marshall was able to get to it for what would have been an easy goal.

Gianna DeSaverio also had a pair of point-blank shots stopped before burying a Kassidy Fitzpatrick pass -- which Marshall smoothly let go by her while drawing defenders towards her -- to make the score 1-0 at 35:31.

"We were about as good as we can be for about that first 40 minutes and only had one goal to show for it," Hempen said. "And that was with some, at least what looked like from here, ridiculously easy chances to score. That's the only frustrating thing."

After a turnover in its own end, CU allowed the equalizer -- a perfect header by Ali Sill off a pass from DeShane Bradlee -- with less than three minutes left in the half.

"We're doing all the rough work and we just can't get that last piece. If we can do that with some consistency we could be a really dangerous team," Hempen said on the subject of missed scoring opportunities. "If we get to that point it would be fun to watch."

Forward Amber Bettenhausen played a picture-perfect touch to a hustling Keller for the go-ahead goal with 37 minutes left to play.

"That was an effort goal. That was just pure effort," Hempen said. "Out of all the ones we had that one was maybe the ugliest. But who cares? They count. (Keller) is a warrior, no doubt."

The Buffs would put the game away with goals from senior defenders Michelle Wenino and Alex Cousins.

"We finish a lot more goals, I feel like, than last year in general," Wenino said. "Being able to finish the goals is a good thing going into the Big 12 season because we know it's going to be tough. ... I think the seniors are pulling through and it's great leadership on the team."

CU, which also started 7-1-1 in 2004 and 2006, is off to the second best start in program history through nine games. In 2003 the Buffs started 8-1 en route to a Big 12 title.

"Being able to pull off these games and getting a good streak going into conference play definitely keeps your head up and is good momentum," Wenino said.

Are they ready, Coach?

"Absolutely," Hempen said. "Let's get started. We play this kind of competition to get ready for the Big 12, and I think we're ready to play."

Notable

Denver is officially the Colorado Classic champion for 2008 after improving to 3-0 at Prentup Field this season with a 3-0 victory over Gonzaga. The Pioneers, who defeated Fresno State 3-2 in overtime on Friday, won the tiebreaker (most goals scored) over CU 6-5. The Buffs defeated Gonzaga 1-0 on Friday. ... DU handed the Buffs their only loss of the season on Aug. 24, a 1-0 game at Prentup Field. ... Forward Amanda Foulk, a sophomore from Broomfield, made her first appearance of the season for CU. ... Junior walk-on Kellis Johnson made her first career appearance at goalkeeper for the Buffs for the last 9:41 of the game. ... CU wore pink jerseys for the second consecutive match to raise awareness about breast cancer. ... The Buffs, who have been on top of the Big 12 since beating Texas Tech on Aug. 29, will play OU at 4 p.m. on Friday and the showdown with the Cowgirls is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. ... Marshall remains one goal behind Katie Griffin (32) for the No. 1 spot on CU's all-time list.