Colorado
8-1-0, 2-0-0
Oklahoma State
8-1-1, 1-1-0
No. 21 Buffs Lasso No. 12 Oklahoma State
September 19, 2024 | Soccer
STILLWATER, OKLA. — It was a triumphant return to Neal Patterson Stadium Thursday night for Colorado goalkeeper Jordan Nytes. The former Oklahoma State netminder set the Colorado record for longest consecutive shutout streak by minutes, and goals from Hope Leyba and Jace Holley helped the No. 21 Buffaloes hand the No. 12 Cowgirls their first loss of the season 2-1.
"It was definitely an emotional experience," Nytes said of her return. "Just being back where you've made memories and playing against people you know. I think once the game started, that definitely was something I tuned out. It was important to just focus on our team – winning the game and making sure that I kept our team together before anything.
The match was delayed during warmups due to circling lightning in the area, pushing kickoff an hour and ten minutes from the original 7 p.m. CT start.
"It was a great performance tonight from the Buffs," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed. "I really liked our mental toughness through the delay. It was a great momentum builder from Jordi, making a fantastic save on the penalty. I think it really gave us a lift."
Colorado (8-1-0, 2-0-0) pushed its win streak to seven games. Leyba's goal late in the first half was the first goal allowed by the Cowgirls this season.
Nytes made three saves and recorded her 21st career win as a Buffs. The Cowgirls (8-1-1, 1-1-0) got on the board in the 64th minute, ending her shutout streak at 583:33.
"I didn't even know that was a record you could have," Nytes added. "It's cool to set records and see where we could go. It's unfortunate they got the goal, but the biggest thing is we came out with a result and got three points out of that game."
Leyba moved into a tie for the team lead in goals, notching her fifth of the season. Holley's goal was her third of the season, now having scored in back-to-back matches. All three of Holley's goals this season have been game-winners.
"I thought they were both very good," Sanchez said of the two forwards. "The movement was great, especially at the end of the game, when they [OSU] were starting to get a little bit tired, closing things down and pressing was a key to our success tonight."
How it Happened
The two sides played an even first half, but Oklahoma State had the best opportunity to get on the board first.
OSU was awarded a penalty kick in the 35th minute following a CU foul in the penalty area. Xcaret Pineda, the Cowgirls' second-leading scorer and former teammate of Nytes, put her attempt to Nytes' right, where she made a diving stop to keep the game scoreless.
"We'd practice PKs [at OSU] and stuff, but I didn't remember anything," Nytes said of her stop. "I was just sticking to the scout and what I thought was best, and I came up with a good save."
Two minutes later, the momentum swung to the Buffs when Leyba broke through in the 37th minute. Her sister, Faith Leyba, served a ball from the CU backfield that was headed toward midfield by the OSU defense. Sami Fisher controlled the ball and passed it off to H. Leyba on top of the 18-yard box. She cut in towards the near post and put a sliding right-footed shot through the hands of OSU keeper Grace Gordon to gain the 1-0 lead.
The Buffs carried the 1-0 lead into the half while out-chancing the Cowgirls 7-5 in the frame.
Colorado nearly added to its lead in the 51st minute off a Nytes free kick that pinballed in the box and landed just off the goal line for Ava Preist. Priest could not get the ball past the two OSU defenders who covered the empty net.
The Buffs continued to press after the near miss, with Michaela Rosenbaum serving up Holley in the 52nd minute to add to the lead. Holley's header from just off the penalty spot floated past the diving Gordon and into the top corner for the 2-0 lead.
"We felt good with the 1-0 lead at halftime," Sanchez continued. "I felt in the second half, we were playing on the front foot, playing well. What a fantastic second goal. Micky, just absolute class, and Jace, a first-class finish. I thought maybe we started defending a little bit deeper, but I think it's just human nature. Credit to Oklahoma State to get the goal back. It made it a little nervy at the end, but overall, a great win for the Buffs."
The Cowgirls cut the lead in half in the 64th minute, ending Nytes' shutout streak.
OSU had one more dangerous chance in the final seconds of the night, but Nytes was up for the challenge, tipping the shot high over the net as the clock ticked to under 20 seconds.
"I felt she really kept her emotions in check and was absolutely fantastic," Sanchez said of Nytes. "Not only the save on the penalty but the save right at the end of the game and managing the game throughout. Her distribution was, as always, spot on, and she showed some outstanding leadership, especially the last 10 or 15 minutes when we were under a lot of pressure."
Up Next
The Buffs continue on the road on Sunday, heading to Ames, Iowa, to take on Iowa State. (11 a.m. MT).
Notes
The win ties Nytes for fifth all-time at CU alongside Dani Hansen and Kate Scheele (21)…It is the Buffs' first-ranked win on the road since beating No. 10 California on Mar. 5, 2021…Thursday was also Colorado's first win over a top-15 team since beating No. 14 Michigan State in Boulder last season (Aug. 27, 2023)…CU improves to 71-66-14 in the Big 12…OSU's goal was just the fifth allowed by the Buffs and the first since Aug. 22 vs Wyoming…Fisher's assist was her second of the season…H. Leyba is now tied with Shyra James for the team lead in points with 11 this season…James did not play due to injury.
Team Stats
Hope Leyba (5)
Assisted By: Sami Fisher
GOAL by COL Leyba, Hope Assist by Fisher, Sami.
36:11
Jace Holley (3)
Assisted By: Michaela Rosenbaum
GOAL by COL Holley, Jace Assist by Rosenbaum, Michaela.
51:44
Nicole Ray (4)
GOAL by OSU Ray, Nicole.
63:28
