Colorado
10-3-4, 4-2-4
West Virginia
11-4-2, 7-2-1
Buffs Fall To West Virginia On The Country Road
October 20, 2024 | Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.V. — The Colorado soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss to West Virginia here at the Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium Sunday afternoon after surrendering a goal in each half. Despite the loss, it is just the third time the Buffaloes have let up multiple goals in a game the entire season.
The Buffs (10-3-4, 4-2-4 Big 12) were unable to put it in the back of the net against the Mountaineers (11-4-2, 7-2-1 Big 12), but they showed resilience with flashes of scoring chances at the end of the first half and start of the second. West Virginia managed two scores on two shots on goal to notch the win.
"We talked about their set pieces, so it's disappointing to give up one shot in the first half, and it's a corner goal," head coach Danny Sanchez mentioned after the loss. "I was pleased with how we responded the first 25 minutes of the second half. I thought we played well; we created some good chances, had a very tight offside call against us, and then West Virginia got their second shot on goal, and it went in. You have two shots on goal and two goals so credit to them."
What seemed to be a big difference-maker in the game was a Colorado goal that got called back due to an offside call in the second half. In the 50th minute, Hope Leyba received a centering pass from Mallory Allen and put it away in what would have been the tying goal, but Leyba was just barely past the final West Virginia defender.
The Buffaloes had several offensive opportunities for the equalizer as the half went on, but West Virginia's goalkeeper made some key saves to keep Colorado out of the game. The Mountaineers then scored in the 73rd minute to take a 2-0 lead and put the game out of reach.
Leyba led all players with four total shots, three of which were on goal. She was involved in almost all of Colorado's attacks and often brought life back to the Buffs' offense. Shyra James was the only other Buff to record a shot on goal as she played 35 minutes in her return to action.
The loss was the first for the Buffs on the road this season.
Colorado will travel back to Boulder to wrap up the regular season at home against the Utah Utes on Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. MT.
"The good news is we have a conference tournament," Sanchez stated, looking ahead to Utah. "So it's an important game, and we'll honor some fantastic seniors, but there's still plenty of soccer to be played, so we're going to stay positive. We're going to continue to work hard and hopefully take advantage of being home next Friday."
How it Happened
West Virginia was the first to strike after multiple scoring chances in the game's opening minutes. The Mountaineers finally put one away in the 21st minute to take a 1-0.
Colorado responded with great looks to close out the first half, but none touched the nylon as CU trailed by one at the break. WVU outshot the Buffs 8-2 at halftime.
The Buffaloes made some adjustments in the second half that worked well at the start. Colorado was close to tying the game at 1-1 on a goal from Leyba, however, the score was disallowed due to an offside call.
Following the call, CU kept stacking up scoring chances, but the Buffs were unable to capitalize on those opportunities. Jordan Nytes had a relatively quiet day, seeing just two shots on goal from the Mountaineers.
West Virginia put the game away in the 74th minute with another goal to increase the lead to 2-0.
Up Next
The Buffs will return home to play Utah for their final game of the regular season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+) as Colorado will be celebrating Senior Day.
Notes
First ever matchup against West Virginia in program history…After being outshot 8-2 in the first half, the Buffs outshot the Mountaineers 5-3 in the second…Hope Leyba led the team with four shots...Colorado's leading scorer, Shyra James, returned to action for the first time in five games...CU's scoreless streak is now at 287:22 since its last goal at Texas Tech (Oct. 10).
Team Stats
Lisa Schöppl (2)
Assisted By: Lilly McCarthy
GOAL by WVU Schöppl, Lisa Assist by McCarthy, Lilly.
20:08
Aria Bilal (1)
Assisted By: Jordyn Wilson
GOAL by WVU Bilal, Aria Assist by Wilson, Jordyn.
73:58
