Holley With a Memorable Start to CU Career

BOULDER — Colorado freshman Jace Holley had a memorable open to her CU soccer career, and it had nothing to do with Thursday night's action against Marquette.

Just days after finishing high school last May, Holley joined the Buffs for training in preparation for the team's foreign tour to London and Barcelona. The Rocky Mountain High School graduate was the only incoming freshman who made that trip, starting her tenure as a Buff ahead of schedule.

Colorado played three games on the tour, one in London and two in Barcelona.

Holley got on the pitch in London for the first time as a Buff, but it was the opening game in Barcelona against Espanyol's U19 team that she will carry with her forever, literally.

Holley now sports a scar just above her left eyebrow as a keepsake from the match and a trip to a Barcelona emergency room that resulted in 12 stitches.

"We were in Barcelona, and I started that game—everyone was playing," Holley recalled. "I went up for a flick, and the girl came straight through my head, and it just split open, and I went to my hands and knees. I was like, 'Whoa, I'm sweating a lot.' Then I stood up, and the whole team was shocked. They looked at me, and I was like, 'What?' I had no idea. I tried to wipe the blood off my face with my jersey, and the whole team yelled at me to stop.

"It's a story to tell for sure."

Fast forward to opening night on Thursday, and Holley is inserted in the starting lineup in her first official match as a Buff.

"I found out [I was starting] at our last practice," Holley explained. "Knowing the talent on this team, it was a really big honor to see my name starting. I knew with that honor I wanted to provide for my team, work hard for my team, and do everything I could to help the team win."

That she did.

It took Holley just 10 minutes to get the Buffs on the board, flying through the box with a diving header for her first career goal. The Fort Collins native played 43 minutes and put two shots on target in her CU debut.

"It was everything I thought it would be," Holley said of her first game. "The energy, the crowd, the lights flickering – that's my favorite part. It was everything I thought it would be. I'm so excited. I remember when I was a fan sitting over there, cheering and being part of the energy. Now that I'm over here, it's just surreal. It's awesome."

The next test for Holley and the Buffs? Eighth-ranked North Carolina.

"It's exactly the type of matchup I committed to play in," Holley added. "Another big team with a big name. We're excited to show them what we've got. We can play with anyone."

The Buffs are 0-6 all-time against the Tar Heels, having last met in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament in Chapel Hill. Sunday will be UNC's first visit to Boulder since the 1998 season.

Kickoff is set for noon MT. Brad Thompson will have the call on ESPN+.

Sunday is Buffs Wear White, and fans are encouraged to wear white to the game. A pregame Fan Fest will also start at 11 a.m. and will include a petting zoo, inflatables, face painting, a live DJ, and more.

Gates open at 11 a.m. Fans can avoid the ticket line at the field by purchasing tickets ahead of time at Buffs.me/SOCvsUNC.

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Jace Holley