Friday, November 22
Winston-Salem, NC
4 p.m.
Colorado
at
Wake Forest
Photo by: Gavin Crowson
Buffs and No. 3 Demon Deacons Ready for Second Round Action
November 21, 2024 | Soccer
Colorado takes on Wake Forest at 4 p.m. MT on Friday
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Colorado Buffaloes head east for Friday's second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Buffs will take on second-seeded and No. 3-ranked Wake Forest at Spry Stadium (4 p.m. MT/ESPN+).
Colorado (12-4-5) was one of five lower seeds to advance out of the first round, handing Georgia a 3-2 loss last Friday in Athens. The win earned CU its second consecutive trip to the Eastern time zone, something the Buffs are familiar with this season. Colorado's first road trip of the season was to the Tar Heel State to play UNC Greensboro. The Buffs have also played on the road at Cincinnati and West Virginia this season.
"The familiarity of coming to this area and getting a good result earlier this year [at UNCG], and just the fact that we've been on the road for the last three kind of big events at Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament and then Georgia. I think we feel very comfortable traveling," head coach Danny Sanchez explained.
The win at Georgia was the Buffs' first NCAA Tournament win since a 6-0 victory over Northern Colorado in 2019. It was also just the second road win for CU in its 14 NCAA Tournament appearances.
"I think at this time of the year, you kind of throw out almost to a certain extent everything that has happened all year when it comes to knockout situations," Sanchez added. "We've been good on the road this year. We've got a lot of good results, and we're going to have to play really well tomorrow if we're going to get another [win]."
Ava Priest opened the tournament with a penalty kick goal, marking the first goal of the entire NCAA Tournament and CU's first tournament tally since its win over Northern Colorado. Hope Leyba and Shyra James added on for the Buffs in the win over the Bulldogs. CU's three goals at Georgia tied for the second most in a tournament game for the Buffs.
Colorado trained at UNC Greensboro on Wednesday before arriving in Winston-Salem. On Thursday, the team trained adjacent to Spry Stadium before concluding with a walkthrough on the game field.
Wake Forest (13-3-3) climbed as high as No. 2 this season in the United Soccer Coaches' rankings. The Demon Deacons fell in penalties to Florida State in the ACC Tournament but earned a No. 2 seed in the USC regional. Wake Forest advanced with a 4-0 win over Morehead State last week.
"I think we have nothing to lose," Sanchez expressed. "The [team's] energy's been great. The training this week has been fantastic. We're raring to go and put our best foot forward Friday night."
The winner of Friday's match will advance to take on either Ohio State or Auburn on Sunday.
Colorado (12-4-5) was one of five lower seeds to advance out of the first round, handing Georgia a 3-2 loss last Friday in Athens. The win earned CU its second consecutive trip to the Eastern time zone, something the Buffs are familiar with this season. Colorado's first road trip of the season was to the Tar Heel State to play UNC Greensboro. The Buffs have also played on the road at Cincinnati and West Virginia this season.
"The familiarity of coming to this area and getting a good result earlier this year [at UNCG], and just the fact that we've been on the road for the last three kind of big events at Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament and then Georgia. I think we feel very comfortable traveling," head coach Danny Sanchez explained.
The win at Georgia was the Buffs' first NCAA Tournament win since a 6-0 victory over Northern Colorado in 2019. It was also just the second road win for CU in its 14 NCAA Tournament appearances.
"I think at this time of the year, you kind of throw out almost to a certain extent everything that has happened all year when it comes to knockout situations," Sanchez added. "We've been good on the road this year. We've got a lot of good results, and we're going to have to play really well tomorrow if we're going to get another [win]."
Ava Priest opened the tournament with a penalty kick goal, marking the first goal of the entire NCAA Tournament and CU's first tournament tally since its win over Northern Colorado. Hope Leyba and Shyra James added on for the Buffs in the win over the Bulldogs. CU's three goals at Georgia tied for the second most in a tournament game for the Buffs.
Colorado trained at UNC Greensboro on Wednesday before arriving in Winston-Salem. On Thursday, the team trained adjacent to Spry Stadium before concluding with a walkthrough on the game field.
Wake Forest (13-3-3) climbed as high as No. 2 this season in the United Soccer Coaches' rankings. The Demon Deacons fell in penalties to Florida State in the ACC Tournament but earned a No. 2 seed in the USC regional. Wake Forest advanced with a 4-0 win over Morehead State last week.
"I think we have nothing to lose," Sanchez expressed. "The [team's] energy's been great. The training this week has been fantastic. We're raring to go and put our best foot forward Friday night."
The winner of Friday's match will advance to take on either Ohio State or Auburn on Sunday.
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