Colorado Handles Business in Exhibtion Win

BOULDER, Colo. -- Colorado secured a 2-0 victory over Colorado College on Thursday at Prentup Field in exhibition play. The Buffaloes' defense held strong, allowing only one shot on goal over the 90 minutes.

CU exploded with an offensive outburst, firing off 21 shots, eight on target. Both goals were scored in the second half, securing the win.

Junior Hope Leyba and sophomore Riley MacDonald were key contributors for the Buffs, each scoring a goal in their latest match. Leyba led the team with eight total shots and secured the game-winning goal in the 75th minute. MacDonald found the back of the net off a precisely played ball from junior Caley Swierenga. In goal, Jamie Campbell played a crucial role, recording the team's lone save and preserving the shutout.

All 20 available field players and two of the team's three goalkeepers got in on the action on Thursday night.

"The players kind of did what we thought [they would]," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed after the win. "It was good to give everybody a lot of minutes. It would have been nice to get a couple [goals] early to maybe get looks and kind of give and get some different looks as far as what we're doing tactically, but at the end of the day, if we play a game we want to win and we won the game."

How it Happened
In the first half, the Buffs displayed an aggressive offensive effort with eight shots, four of which were taken by H. Leyba. Despite this pressure, they were unable to capitalize, as CC goalkeeper Regan Wallace made key saves, including stops on shots by Maddie Sharrer and MacDonald. The Buffs also earned three corner kicks, but the half concluded in a scoreless tie.

"I told the team after the game, I was pleased how they didn't get frustrated," Sanchez said. "We're getting some good looks, good half-chances, but no real clear chances, balls bouncing around the box. Hope -- we took her out. She got a little bit of a rest, took a little bit of a knock, but when she went back in, her engine's off the charts, and we're pleased that she's opened her account for this year."

Campbell, relieved starting goalkeeper Jordan Nytes, at the start of the second half and was immediately put to the test, making a point-blank stop in the 47th minute.

The Buffs maintained pressure on the Tigers the rest of the night with persistent offensive efforts, culminating in a two-goal advantage. Leyba opened the scoring in the 75th minute, followed by MacDonald's goal in the 84th. Colorado recorded multiple shots, including three more attempts by H. Leyba, while also out-earning CC 6-0 in corner kicks.

Up Next
Looking ahead, the Buffs will host No. 12 Michigan State on August 14 at Prentup Field. The match is set for 7 p.m.

"The competition level obviously shoots through the roof," Sanchez noted about Michigan State. "You have a top 12 team in the country and an experienced NCAA Tournament team, so we're going to be sharper. We will need to be more efficient going forward. We're not going to get 21 shots like we did tonight, but like I told the team, I think that the attacks usually take a little bit more time to get going, and I thought we were a little loose defensively as well. But credit to Colorado College. I thought they played well today, stuck to the game plan, and made it difficult for us."

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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Team Stats

Hope Leyba

Riley MacDonald

Caley Swierenga

Jace Holley

Players Mentioned

Jamie Campbell

Hope Leyba

Riley MacDonald

Jordan Nytes

Maddie Sharrer

Caley Swierenga

Players Mentioned

Jamie Campbell

Hope Leyba

Riley MacDonald

Jordan Nytes

Maddie Sharrer

Caley Swierenga