Colorado University Athletics
Thursday, November 20
East Lansing, Mich.
1 p.m.
Colorado
vs
Xavier
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Buffs Set for Second Round Meeting with Xavier
November 19, 2025 | Soccer
CU takes on the Musketeers at Michigan State
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The No. 12 Colorado soccer team continues its march in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. The Buffaloes will take on No. 6-seeded and No. 22nd-ranked Xavier at DeMartin Stadium (1 p.m. MT).
It's the second consecutive season the Buffs have appeared in the tournament's second weekend, having matched up with Wake Forest last year in Winston-Salem. Head coach Danny Sanchez has led the Buffs past the first round in seven of his nine tournament trips with the Buffaloes.
It took a double-overtime thriller for the Buffs to earn the trip to Michigan. Vivi Zacarias and Regan Kotschau put the goals on the board, with Kotschau's bringing an end to the contest in the 106th minute of the match. It was the only golden goal winner in the first round, while the other overtime games in the bracket all needed penalties to decide the outcome.
"I told the team we don't get a lot of moments like this," Sanchez explained. "I've been here 14 years. I've seen a lot of moments, but the NCAA Tournament, golden goal at home in front of all our supporters, it was a special night."
The golden goal was assisted by Ava Priest, bringing her season point total to 10. She joins Hope Leyba (43), Jace Holley (30), Emerson Layne (20) and Kotschau (18) as Buffs with 10 or more points this season. It's the first time CU has had five players with double-figure point totals since the 2008 season.
The win over Utah Valley was the team's 16th of the season, marking the most wins in program history with a 16-3-3 record.
Thursday's meeting will be the first between the Buffs and the Musketeers. Xavier (16-3-2) defeated Georgetown 2-0 in the Big East Championship Game to earn its spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers hosted Dayton in the first round and got goals from Regan Dancer and Elin Hansson in the 2-0 shutout.
Thursday will be the second consecutive match for the Buffs against the second-ranked offense in the nation. Utah Valley ranked second in total goals last week, and Xavier enters this week in the No. 2 spot with 70 total goals. Colorado is ranked fifth in the NCAA with 54 total goals.
"Xavier is a very good team," Sanchez noted. "It won the Big East championship 2-0 and knocked off the A-10 champions, Dayton, in the first round 2-0. They have an All-American attacking mid, an All-American striker and an All-American center back who got called to the [USWYNT] U23 camp. They are very well coached and talented. They beat Michigan State earlier this year, 5-2, and Michigan State is very good.
Unlike last season, the Buffs aren't up against the host school in the second round. CU, the No. 3 seed in the bracket, will serve as the home team in the neutral site matchup. Colorado is 2-3-1 all-time on neutral turf in the NCAA Tournament.
"It will be unique," Sanchez added. "We will have to sort of bring the energy."
The winner of Thursday's match will take on either No. 2-seeded Michigan State or No. 7-seeded Wake Forest.
Thursday's match will be streamed online on ESPN+.
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.
It's the second consecutive season the Buffs have appeared in the tournament's second weekend, having matched up with Wake Forest last year in Winston-Salem. Head coach Danny Sanchez has led the Buffs past the first round in seven of his nine tournament trips with the Buffaloes.
It took a double-overtime thriller for the Buffs to earn the trip to Michigan. Vivi Zacarias and Regan Kotschau put the goals on the board, with Kotschau's bringing an end to the contest in the 106th minute of the match. It was the only golden goal winner in the first round, while the other overtime games in the bracket all needed penalties to decide the outcome.
"I told the team we don't get a lot of moments like this," Sanchez explained. "I've been here 14 years. I've seen a lot of moments, but the NCAA Tournament, golden goal at home in front of all our supporters, it was a special night."
The golden goal was assisted by Ava Priest, bringing her season point total to 10. She joins Hope Leyba (43), Jace Holley (30), Emerson Layne (20) and Kotschau (18) as Buffs with 10 or more points this season. It's the first time CU has had five players with double-figure point totals since the 2008 season.
The win over Utah Valley was the team's 16th of the season, marking the most wins in program history with a 16-3-3 record.
Thursday's meeting will be the first between the Buffs and the Musketeers. Xavier (16-3-2) defeated Georgetown 2-0 in the Big East Championship Game to earn its spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers hosted Dayton in the first round and got goals from Regan Dancer and Elin Hansson in the 2-0 shutout.
Thursday will be the second consecutive match for the Buffs against the second-ranked offense in the nation. Utah Valley ranked second in total goals last week, and Xavier enters this week in the No. 2 spot with 70 total goals. Colorado is ranked fifth in the NCAA with 54 total goals.
"Xavier is a very good team," Sanchez noted. "It won the Big East championship 2-0 and knocked off the A-10 champions, Dayton, in the first round 2-0. They have an All-American attacking mid, an All-American striker and an All-American center back who got called to the [USWYNT] U23 camp. They are very well coached and talented. They beat Michigan State earlier this year, 5-2, and Michigan State is very good.
Unlike last season, the Buffs aren't up against the host school in the second round. CU, the No. 3 seed in the bracket, will serve as the home team in the neutral site matchup. Colorado is 2-3-1 all-time on neutral turf in the NCAA Tournament.
"It will be unique," Sanchez added. "We will have to sort of bring the energy."
The winner of Thursday's match will take on either No. 2-seeded Michigan State or No. 7-seeded Wake Forest.
Thursday's match will be streamed online on ESPN+.
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.
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