Buffs Top No. 14 Michigan State

BOULDER—Colorado soccer turned in its best performance of the early season on Sunday. The Buffaloes scored a goal in each half on their way to upsetting No. 14 Michigan State, 2-0, in front of a crowd of 1,156 at Prentup Field.

The win was CU's first against a ranked opponent since topping No. 17 Arizona State on April 11, 2021. Sunday also snapped an 11-match winless streak against ranked opponents.

"I thought we started really well," head coach Danny Sanchez said after the win. "We knew we had to start well against a team like this. We defended very well today. Greer [Maguire], Faith [Leyba], Phoenix [Dawn Miranda], Rachel [Rosen] and then Jade [Babcock-Chi] and Lawson [Willis] when they went back there were rock solid all day. Jordi [Nytes] managed the game and did very well in goal.

"I think where the game was won for us was in the midfield. Their [Michigan State] movement is so dynamic. I thought that we, for the most part, handled it well and we were opportunistic going forward with two very good goals. It was a great win for the Buffs today."

Shyra James and Ally Clark each picked up their second goal of the season. James got the Buffs on the board in the first half and Clark added some insurance in the final third of the match.

"The first goal from Shyra was class," Sanchez added. "Lila [Dere] slipped the ball in and Shyra just turns the defender and smashes it in. You're almost surprised when she doesn't finish those. That really took the pressure off us. Ally's goal in the second half was just a hustle play. She understood what we talked about at halftime. She pressed, won it and kept composure."

Michigan State (3-1-0) led the contest 18-13 in shots and had a slight 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Jordan Nytes was up for the challenge, stopping all five attempts and recording her third shutout of the season.

The two sides combined for 22 fouls in what was at times a physical contest. The Buffs used the physicality to their advantage, wearing down the Spartans late in the match.

"I was really pleased in the second half with the players we subbed in our level of play didn't drop off," Sanchez noted. "The second goal from Ally kind of killed the game off, but even before that, I felt really good with what we're doing and how we're limiting their opportunities. It was important for us to start well while both teams were fresh and I thought in the second half our depth and fitness really helped push us over the finish line."

How it happened
MSU narrowly missed getting on the board in the early moments of the afternoon. Justina Gaynor put the first shot of the day off the crossbar and Faith Leyba and Nytes spoiled the two follow-up chances.

Colorado got early shots from Clark and Ava Priest but didn't really threaten until the 37th minute when James got the scoring started. Lila Dere played a short pass to James who made one turn to the middle of the field and blasted a left-footed shot into the top far-side corner for the eventual game-winner.

Nytes had two more run-of-the-mill saves and Michigan State drilled its second crossbar of the half, but the Buffs took the 1-0 advantage at the break.

Colorado got a prime opportunity at the start of the second half when Hope Leyba got dragged down just outside the top of the penalty area. Rachel Rosen took the free kick from just outside the box and just missed high over the crossbar.

James had three more shots in the second half, landing a header on net off a corner kick in the 61st minute.

Clark's goal came off a miscommunication by Michigan State in the 79th minute. The MSU defender tried to pass the ball up the middle of the field and Clark stepped in front for the interception. She dribbled uncontested into the box and fired a shot past an outstretched Kaitlyn Parks from 17 yards out.

"I was the one that scored the goal but it came from my whole team helping and pressing together and being a unit," Clark explained. "I think that's what helps us to create so much offense on the attack. I think as much as it's me that scores a goal, it's just as much my team that's doing the work leading up to it."

Colorado's defensive unit kept a lid on the net in the final stretch. The Buffs didn't allow a shot on goal in the final 14 minutes.

Upcoming
Colorado continues at home next week with a pair of matches against NCAA Tournament teams. The Buffs open the week against North Carolina State on Thursday (7 p.m. MT) and will take on Purdue on Sunday (Noon MT).

Notes
The win against No. 14 MSU ties the highest ranked win since beating No. 14 USC on March 15, 2021…CU was 0-7-4 against ranked opponents in the last two seasons…James jumped Melissa Cartmell (1997-00) on the all-time goals list, moving into fifth with 27 career goals…She also moved past Brie Hooks for sixth on CU's all-time points list with 58….CU is now 2-2-0 all-time against MSU…Clark is the first Buff to score in consecutive matches since Civana Kuhlmann scored against Oregon State and Oregon last season…CU is now 14-16-2 since 2012 against Power 5 opponents in non-conference play.

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Team Stats

Shyra James

Ally Clark

Lila Dere

Ava Priest

Players Mentioned

Ally Clark

Lila Dere

Shyra James

Civana Kuhlmann

Faith Leyba

Hope Leyba

Jordan Nytes

Ava Priest

Rachel Rosen

Players Mentioned

Ally Clark

Lila Dere

Shyra James

Civana Kuhlmann

Faith Leyba

Hope Leyba

Jordan Nytes

Ava Priest

Rachel Rosen