Hard Work Pays Off for Master

BOULDER, Colo. – Scoring your first career goal is always memorable.

Especially if you've waited almost four years like senior forward Josie Master has.

The Newport Beach, Calif., native finally got her chance in CU's 7-1 win over Fordham on Thursday night. The goal will be remembered this season not because it was a game-winning goal or a tally that changed the momentum of the match, but because of all the hard work that went into it.

Master has been with the Colorado soccer program since her freshman year in 2022 and is just one of three players who remain from her incoming class, along with Emerson Layne and Mallory Allen.

While Layne and Allen have well over 50 games played under their belts, Master has appeared on the pitch just 15 times in her four-year career.

"Obviously, it was a great moment for Josie," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed. "Being a senior, to get on the field and obviously score – she scored a really good goal. She took it really well. You can see how much the team cares about you because of their reaction. She's a great teammate, and we're really pleased that she was able to have that moment."

Throughout her time at Colorado, the support of her teammates has been instrumental in her success.

"I think you just always have your teammates to lift you up no matter what," Master said. "At every practice and every game, I try to do that, and yeah, I think it's just easier to do that when you have your teammates and really good friends on the team. It makes it easier."

Unlike a large number of players from her incoming class, Master has stuck it out with the Buffs, despite not always getting consistent minutes.

"It's tough," Sanchez added about the team's competitive nature. "When you come to Colorado, you sign up for this. It's going to be competitive. It's going to be tough. It's easy to quit or mail it in. So for her to be able to have that moment, especially at home with all her teammates, was special.

"At times it's tough to get on the field, but it's not all about that. If you don't have great teammates [like Josie], the team is not going to be successful."

A tradition that has formed for the Buffs over the last few seasons has been the selection of each player's goal song.

Master's song of choice: "California Girls."

"It was a lot of fun," Master recalled. "I think I was smiling when I was on the breakaway because I just, I was having fun, and I was happy because I really like my goal song 'California Girls,' so that was a lot of fun, and it was just good vibes."

After scoring the goal in the 89^th minute, Master received plenty of love from her family, but not without some playful teasing.

Her younger brothers, in particular, couldn't resist giving her a hard time about finally finding the back of the net.

"Yeah, my brothers make fun of me, so they said 'good job' finally," Master said.

Colorado (2-0-1) hosts UNC Greensboro on Sunday at Noon. The Buffs and Spartans met last season for the first time in Greensboro, with CU getting a 1-0 win.

Brad Thompson will have the call all season long 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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Players Mentioned

Mallory Allen

Emerson Layne

Josie Master