Geoff Bennett loved what he saw from his bench on Sunday. And, thanks largely to its substitutes, Colorado College is tied for first place in Conference USA after opening weekend of league play.

Senior forward Sarah Wolff came off the bench to snap a scoreless tie late in the first half, and sophomore midfielder Kelsey Wise set up an insurance tally by senior defender Lauren Talbot early in the second, fueling the Tigers to a 2-0 victory over the University of Tulsa at Stewart Field.

With the triumph, they improved to 6-3-1 overall and a perfect 2-0 in C-USA play.

“I'm unbelievably thrilled with how our reserves came in off the bench and gave us a lift today,” said head coach Bennett. “They had great energy and even scored. Wolffie got us a great goal, and we're 2-0 in Conference USA for the first time ever.”

CC has gone 1-1 in each of its three previous seasons as an affiliate member of the 12-team league.

Wolff, who entered the match late in the first half, staked her team to a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute when her sliding chip shot from 12 yards out on the left side floated over the head of Hurricane keeper Katie Bykowski. The play started with Talbot's long serve after a Tulsa foul, and ended after Bykowski punched freshman midfielder Brennan O'Connell's cross from the corner in Wolff's direction.

O'Connell was Colorado College's first sub earlier in the contest.

Talbot made it 2-0 early in the second half, teaming up with non-starter Wise on a rare double header set up by Beth Wright's corner kick. Wise's first attempt was blocked but she quickly pounced on the rebound and headed it back toward the net. Talbot, stationed just outside the left post, got her head on the ball and deflected it past Bykowski. 

Sophomore keeper Caitlin Hulyo made three saves to record her third and the team's fourth shutout of the season. With the loss, Tulsa dropped to 3-5-2 overall and 0-2 in C-USA play.