Sunday, August 31
1 p.m.
Colorado
vs
Wyoming
Photo by: Tony Harman
Buffs Scoring at Record Pace
August 30, 2025 | Soccer
The CU offense has been dominant early on this season
BOULDER, Colo. – Colorado soccer opened the season with a draw against then No. 12 Michigan State, but has since won four straight as it welcomes in Wyoming to cap off a six-game homestand on Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN+).
The Buffaloes' 1-1 draw against the Spartans has been the outlier so far for head coach Danny Sanchez's squad. Colorado has scored 23 goals over its last four matches and leads the NCAA so far this season with its 24 total goals.
Colorado totaled a combined 15 goals against Fordham and UNC Greensboro. The 15 goals in back-to-back games were the most in program history. Seven different Buffs contributed to the scoring output, led by five goals from junior Hope Leyba.
Leyba, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, currently leads the NCAA with her nine goals and 18 points. Jace Holley isn't far behind her, ranking third in the NCAA in goals (6) and second in points (16).
"It comes in stretches," Sanchez explained after the UNCG match. "When you're in the stretch, you need to enjoy it. At the end of the day, they were good goals."
Colorado spent the first two games in a 4-4-2 formation, with Leyba and Holley up top. The forward duo began to click in CU's 4-1 win over Air Force. Holley scored her first career brace, and Leyba added her second of the season.
Sanchez switched up his tactics, shifting to a 4-3-3 against Fordham, and the Buffs responded with seven goals, including a hat trick from Leyba and another brace from Emerson Layne. The scoring continued in bunches against UNCG, matching the program record with eight goals and setting a team record with 11 assists.
"I think we're playing super well together," Layne noted. "Our movement is really good. I think the play out of the back sets us up for success. I feel like we've been finishing the way that we need to. There are no opportunities that we really have been missing."
Colorado is just seven goals shy of matching last season's scoring output of 31, with 14 regular-season matches remaining. In comparison, CU had recorded 13 goals thru their first five games last season, and the Arkansas Razorbacks led the nation with 23 total goals before the start of September.
The Buffs' pace will slow down as the season progresses, but the team is currently scoring 4.8 goals per game, putting them on track to score 91 goals this season. Colorado's top effort over a full season was 47 goals scored in 2018.
Part of the key to CU's offensive onslaught has been starting early. Colorado has had eight goals scored inside the first 20 minutes so far this season.
"I think scoring early always helps us," Leyba added. "If we start with momentum, then we're going to score no matter what. If we are intense, nobody can match that."
The Buffs and Cowgirls met last season, with Shyra James recording a hat trick in CU's 5-1 win at Prentup Field. Colorado has 26 all-time goals in 13 matches against Wyoming, owning a +17-goal differential.
Brad Thompson will be on 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.
The Buffaloes' 1-1 draw against the Spartans has been the outlier so far for head coach Danny Sanchez's squad. Colorado has scored 23 goals over its last four matches and leads the NCAA so far this season with its 24 total goals.
Colorado totaled a combined 15 goals against Fordham and UNC Greensboro. The 15 goals in back-to-back games were the most in program history. Seven different Buffs contributed to the scoring output, led by five goals from junior Hope Leyba.
Leyba, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, currently leads the NCAA with her nine goals and 18 points. Jace Holley isn't far behind her, ranking third in the NCAA in goals (6) and second in points (16).
"It comes in stretches," Sanchez explained after the UNCG match. "When you're in the stretch, you need to enjoy it. At the end of the day, they were good goals."
Colorado spent the first two games in a 4-4-2 formation, with Leyba and Holley up top. The forward duo began to click in CU's 4-1 win over Air Force. Holley scored her first career brace, and Leyba added her second of the season.
Sanchez switched up his tactics, shifting to a 4-3-3 against Fordham, and the Buffs responded with seven goals, including a hat trick from Leyba and another brace from Emerson Layne. The scoring continued in bunches against UNCG, matching the program record with eight goals and setting a team record with 11 assists.
"I think we're playing super well together," Layne noted. "Our movement is really good. I think the play out of the back sets us up for success. I feel like we've been finishing the way that we need to. There are no opportunities that we really have been missing."
Colorado is just seven goals shy of matching last season's scoring output of 31, with 14 regular-season matches remaining. In comparison, CU had recorded 13 goals thru their first five games last season, and the Arkansas Razorbacks led the nation with 23 total goals before the start of September.
The Buffs' pace will slow down as the season progresses, but the team is currently scoring 4.8 goals per game, putting them on track to score 91 goals this season. Colorado's top effort over a full season was 47 goals scored in 2018.
Part of the key to CU's offensive onslaught has been starting early. Colorado has had eight goals scored inside the first 20 minutes so far this season.
"I think scoring early always helps us," Leyba added. "If we start with momentum, then we're going to score no matter what. If we are intense, nobody can match that."
The Buffs and Cowgirls met last season, with Shyra James recording a hat trick in CU's 5-1 win at Prentup Field. Colorado has 26 all-time goals in 13 matches against Wyoming, owning a +17-goal differential.
Brad Thompson will be on 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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