
Photo by: Tony Harman
Buffs Set for Senior Day Sendoff
October 28, 2023 | Soccer
Eight departing seniors set for final regular season home game
BOULDER – Eight departing seniors will play their final regular season home match for the Colorado Buffaloes on Sunday afternoon at Prentup Field. Originally set for a Noon MT kick, the game was pushed back to a 1:30 p.m. MT start.
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The departing group is made up of three first-year Buffs and five student-athletes who have spent four and five years in the program. Isabelle Eskay, Lila Dere and Ally Clark will conclude their lone season in Boulder, while Lawson Willis, Jade Babcock-Chi, Shyra James, Jayden Newkirk and Amaya Gonzalez are concluding their longer tenures.
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"We couldn't be more pleased with the group of seniors," head coach Danny Sanchez stated. "Some of them have been here one year, some have been here five years. The importance of all of them can't be understated. The leadership they provided along with their performance on the field. They all come from different backgrounds and have different paths to get here. It's not easy for any of them. We're really proud of them and we're hoping to send them out with some with another win."
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Colorado got a boost on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Arizona. The Buffs fired off a season-high 26 shots against the Wildcats, an effort that the Buffs will want to duplicate come Sunday.
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"As coaches and as a team, we want it so bad for them [the seniors]," Sanchez continued. Everybody else is going to get another bite at the apple. This is it for them [the seniors]. We want to send them out battling on the pitch.
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The four and five-year Buffs all went through the pandemic in Boulder. Gonzalez and Babcock-Chi had their sophomore years pushed to the spring of 2021, while James, Willis and Newkirk had to wait to get their collegiate careers underway.
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"The fact that some got to stay for their fifth year and have that opportunity which was great for them," Sanchez added. "It does seem like it's in the distant past and you're looking especially these last couple of years have flown by and we are here already. It always does go by fast. I think this year, the fact that we still have great opportunities is maybe the difference."
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Arizona State (10-4-4, 5-3-1 Pac-12) comes into Sunday ranked No. 18 in the country, but was upset by Utah to start the week on Thursday.
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Sunday's game will be streamed online at CUBuffs.com/WatchSoc.
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Head Coach Danny Sanchez
On departing seniors
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Isabelle Eskay
"We are very fortunate that Isabelle decided to pursue her grad school with us. She is a consummate professional who has set a fantastic example for our younger players on how to carry themselves…on and off the field."
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Lila Dere
"Lila has been an absolute pleasure to have on the team this year. She does extra work every day and always holds herself to the highest standard. Lila put the team first and did anything she could to help the program."
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Lawson Willis
"Since day one at CU, Lawson has been an absolute warrior. She has never backed down from any challenge and set the standard for competitiveness and commitment. Lawson will be a player we will reference to teams in the future on what it takes to have an impact at our level."
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 Jade Babcock-Chi
"Jade evolved from a part-time player her freshman year to one of our most important players over the past four years. She is one of the most versatile performers we have ever coached. We are very sad she is finishing her career inured, but she has left a mark on CU Soccer."
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Shyra James
"When Shyra is done, she will go down as one of – if not the No. 1 – pure striker in CU Soccer history. Her ability to score with her head and both feet is first-class. With continued work, Shyra has all the physical tools to be a top professional."
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 Ally Clark
"Ally has been everything we hoped for in a grad transfer—and more. Her work ethic in training and games is contagious. Ally will be a pro and we can't wait to see where her life and soccer journey takes her."
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 Jayden Newkirk
"One of the main standards in our program is to be a great teammate, and that is exactly what Jayden is. Her support, and communication with her teammates on and off the field, show her true leadership qualities. Jayden is like having another coach on staff and it will bode well for her as she moves forward in her soccer and life journey."
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 Amaya Gonzalez
"Not many players in my coaching career have evolved as much as Amaya. She is having her best season to date on the field, but more importantly, Amaya has grown into a fantastic student and leader with our squad. She has so much potential and we are excited for her future"
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Izzy Valenti (student manager)
"Izzy will be sorely missed within our program. There have been very few people who have been more committed to our program's success. Izzy will do anything to support our players and staff. Bringing Izzy into our program four years ago was one of the best decisions we ever made."
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The departing group is made up of three first-year Buffs and five student-athletes who have spent four and five years in the program. Isabelle Eskay, Lila Dere and Ally Clark will conclude their lone season in Boulder, while Lawson Willis, Jade Babcock-Chi, Shyra James, Jayden Newkirk and Amaya Gonzalez are concluding their longer tenures.
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"We couldn't be more pleased with the group of seniors," head coach Danny Sanchez stated. "Some of them have been here one year, some have been here five years. The importance of all of them can't be understated. The leadership they provided along with their performance on the field. They all come from different backgrounds and have different paths to get here. It's not easy for any of them. We're really proud of them and we're hoping to send them out with some with another win."
Â
Colorado got a boost on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Arizona. The Buffs fired off a season-high 26 shots against the Wildcats, an effort that the Buffs will want to duplicate come Sunday.
Â
"As coaches and as a team, we want it so bad for them [the seniors]," Sanchez continued. Everybody else is going to get another bite at the apple. This is it for them [the seniors]. We want to send them out battling on the pitch.
Â
The four and five-year Buffs all went through the pandemic in Boulder. Gonzalez and Babcock-Chi had their sophomore years pushed to the spring of 2021, while James, Willis and Newkirk had to wait to get their collegiate careers underway.
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"The fact that some got to stay for their fifth year and have that opportunity which was great for them," Sanchez added. "It does seem like it's in the distant past and you're looking especially these last couple of years have flown by and we are here already. It always does go by fast. I think this year, the fact that we still have great opportunities is maybe the difference."
Â
Arizona State (10-4-4, 5-3-1 Pac-12) comes into Sunday ranked No. 18 in the country, but was upset by Utah to start the week on Thursday.
Â
Sunday's game will be streamed online at CUBuffs.com/WatchSoc.
Â
Head Coach Danny Sanchez
On departing seniors
Â
Isabelle Eskay
"We are very fortunate that Isabelle decided to pursue her grad school with us. She is a consummate professional who has set a fantastic example for our younger players on how to carry themselves…on and off the field."
Â
Lila Dere
"Lila has been an absolute pleasure to have on the team this year. She does extra work every day and always holds herself to the highest standard. Lila put the team first and did anything she could to help the program."
Â
Lawson Willis
"Since day one at CU, Lawson has been an absolute warrior. She has never backed down from any challenge and set the standard for competitiveness and commitment. Lawson will be a player we will reference to teams in the future on what it takes to have an impact at our level."
Â
 Jade Babcock-Chi
"Jade evolved from a part-time player her freshman year to one of our most important players over the past four years. She is one of the most versatile performers we have ever coached. We are very sad she is finishing her career inured, but she has left a mark on CU Soccer."
Â
Shyra James
"When Shyra is done, she will go down as one of – if not the No. 1 – pure striker in CU Soccer history. Her ability to score with her head and both feet is first-class. With continued work, Shyra has all the physical tools to be a top professional."
Â
 Ally Clark
"Ally has been everything we hoped for in a grad transfer—and more. Her work ethic in training and games is contagious. Ally will be a pro and we can't wait to see where her life and soccer journey takes her."
Â
 Jayden Newkirk
"One of the main standards in our program is to be a great teammate, and that is exactly what Jayden is. Her support, and communication with her teammates on and off the field, show her true leadership qualities. Jayden is like having another coach on staff and it will bode well for her as she moves forward in her soccer and life journey."
Â
 Amaya Gonzalez
"Not many players in my coaching career have evolved as much as Amaya. She is having her best season to date on the field, but more importantly, Amaya has grown into a fantastic student and leader with our squad. She has so much potential and we are excited for her future"
Â
Izzy Valenti (student manager)
"Izzy will be sorely missed within our program. There have been very few people who have been more committed to our program's success. Izzy will do anything to support our players and staff. Bringing Izzy into our program four years ago was one of the best decisions we ever made."
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