Thursday, September 12
Manhattan, KS
6 p.m.
Colorado
7-1-0, 1-0-0
1
at
0
Kansas State
3-4-1, 0-1-0
1
2
F
Colorado
0
1
1
Kansas St.
0
0
0
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Buffs Score Road Win in Big 12 Opener
September 12, 2024 | Soccer
Jace Holley nets the game-winner on Thursday
MANHATTAN, KAN. — Colorado Soccer's return to the Big 12 started on a high note Thursday night with a 1-0 win over Kansas State. The win pushes the Buffaloes' streak to six in a row.
Thursday was the Buffs' first Big 12 match since the 2010 season.
Colorado (7-1-0, 1-0-0) broke the scoreless draw early in the second half with a goal from Jace Holley. Reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week, Jordan Nytes, extended her shutout streak to five matches, tying the CU program record. She made five saves in the win.
"I thought in the first half we had some really good chances," head coach Danny Sanchez said after the win. "Credit to their keeper right at the beginning, making a great save on Hope. We hit the crossbar a couple of times and we didn't get the goal we needed. Coming out at halftime was great. It was a great ball from Claire [Curran], with extra composure and a quality finish from Jace. I thought after that, we managed the game. Any win on the road, especially in the Big 12, is huge. We're pleased with the win and excited for next weekend."
The Buffs out-chanced Kansas State, 23-20, landing 13 shots on net. Emerson Layne, Hope Leyba and Shyra James led the way with four shots each.
"We haven't had a lot of games on the road," Sanchez explained. "We have to be more battle-weary. I thought this was a good test for us, but bigger tests are coming up."
Kansas State falls to 3-4-1 and 0-1-0 in the Big 12.
How it Happened
Colorado had its chances in the first half, getting 13 shots off and hitting the crossbar in the early goings.
Nytes came up big for the Buffs in the 25th minute, making two of her three saves in the first half with a kick save on a point-blank shot and then corralling the rebound shot.
Claire Curran and Jace Holley were inserted into the lineup to start the second half and the substitutions paid off immediately. The duo combined on the game-winner four minutes into the half in the 49th minute.
"We have a lot of players competing for starting spots and competing for opportunities," Sanchez added. "I thought they both did really well, but I was generally pleased with everyone that came off the bench. I thought everybody that came off the bench gave us a good spark today. We're going to need everybody moving forward."
H. Leyba almost padded the lead in the 62nd minute, putting a ball off the far post. Nytes made two more back-to-back saves in the 76th minute to maintain the clean sheet.
"Credit to K-State," Sanchez continued. "They came out with a lot of energy today. Other than really the big chance they had in the first half, I think Jordy managed the game well and we defended well. Once again, we needed to be a little more efficient in the final third, especially early in the game. In the last 20 minutes, we were just killing the game off, but it was a good win for us on the road."
Notes
Nytes now has shutout opponents over 519:52 consecutive minutes, the second-longest streak in CU history…It was her 14th career shutout at CU and 20th overall…The win was Nytes 20th as a Buff, tying her for 7th all-time with Kara Linder…CU improves to 70-66-14 in the Big 12…Curran became the 13th different Buff to record a point this season…Holley's goal was her second of the season, both being game-winners.
Thursday was the Buffs' first Big 12 match since the 2010 season.
Colorado (7-1-0, 1-0-0) broke the scoreless draw early in the second half with a goal from Jace Holley. Reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week, Jordan Nytes, extended her shutout streak to five matches, tying the CU program record. She made five saves in the win.
"I thought in the first half we had some really good chances," head coach Danny Sanchez said after the win. "Credit to their keeper right at the beginning, making a great save on Hope. We hit the crossbar a couple of times and we didn't get the goal we needed. Coming out at halftime was great. It was a great ball from Claire [Curran], with extra composure and a quality finish from Jace. I thought after that, we managed the game. Any win on the road, especially in the Big 12, is huge. We're pleased with the win and excited for next weekend."
The Buffs out-chanced Kansas State, 23-20, landing 13 shots on net. Emerson Layne, Hope Leyba and Shyra James led the way with four shots each.
"We haven't had a lot of games on the road," Sanchez explained. "We have to be more battle-weary. I thought this was a good test for us, but bigger tests are coming up."
Kansas State falls to 3-4-1 and 0-1-0 in the Big 12.
How it Happened
Colorado had its chances in the first half, getting 13 shots off and hitting the crossbar in the early goings.
Nytes came up big for the Buffs in the 25th minute, making two of her three saves in the first half with a kick save on a point-blank shot and then corralling the rebound shot.
Claire Curran and Jace Holley were inserted into the lineup to start the second half and the substitutions paid off immediately. The duo combined on the game-winner four minutes into the half in the 49th minute.
"We have a lot of players competing for starting spots and competing for opportunities," Sanchez added. "I thought they both did really well, but I was generally pleased with everyone that came off the bench. I thought everybody that came off the bench gave us a good spark today. We're going to need everybody moving forward."
H. Leyba almost padded the lead in the 62nd minute, putting a ball off the far post. Nytes made two more back-to-back saves in the 76th minute to maintain the clean sheet.
"Credit to K-State," Sanchez continued. "They came out with a lot of energy today. Other than really the big chance they had in the first half, I think Jordy managed the game well and we defended well. Once again, we needed to be a little more efficient in the final third, especially early in the game. In the last 20 minutes, we were just killing the game off, but it was a good win for us on the road."
Notes
Nytes now has shutout opponents over 519:52 consecutive minutes, the second-longest streak in CU history…It was her 14th career shutout at CU and 20th overall…The win was Nytes 20th as a Buff, tying her for 7th all-time with Kara Linder…CU improves to 70-66-14 in the Big 12…Curran became the 13th different Buff to record a point this season…Holley's goal was her second of the season, both being game-winners.
Team Stats
CU
KState
Goals
1
0
Shots
23
20
Shots on Goal
13
5
Saves
5
12
Corners
10
6
Fouls
5
8
Scoring Plays
Jace Holley (2)
Assisted By: Claire Curran
GOAL by CU Holley, Jace Assist by Curran, Claire.
48:17
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
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