University of Colorado Athletics
Wednesday, August 12
Boulder, Colo.
7 p.m.
Colorado
vs
Colorado State
Buffs Open 2026 Regular Season Against Colorado State
August 10, 2026 | Soccer
BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes soccer team officially springs into the 2026 season on Wednesday, Aug. 12 hosting in-state rival Colorado State.
The Buffs enter the regular season following a 1-0 exhibition win over Utah Aug. 5 in Grand Junction and are now focusing on the Rams.
"We open the 2026 season against our in-state rival, Colorado State," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "They had another great year last season, so we expect a very competitive match Wednesday night. The team is prepared and focused. I anticipate a huge crowd, so I think it's going to be a great atmosphere. I don't think there's a better way to start the 2026 season."
Colorado used its exhibition against Utah to get its first competitive action of the year. The Buffs finished with a 16-12 advantage in shots and broke a scoreless tie just 2:17 into the second half when sustained pressure resulted in a Utah own goal. Goalkeepers Jamie Campbell, Brooke Goerish and Madeline Mueller combined for four saves to preserve the shutout.
Familiar Faces
The Buffs now begin a new campaign after completing the 2025 season 17-4-3 and return a large portion of the production that fueled last season's attack.
Colorado returns with players responsible for 50 of its 59 goals from last season, including each of its top three goal scorers, Hope Leyba, Jace Holley, and Regan Kotschau.
Leyba headlines the returners after leading Colorado with 22 goals and 45 points in 24 starts last season. She also paced the Buffs with 97 shots and 48 shots on goal while recording six game-winning goals.
Holley finished second on the team with 30 points, totaling 12 goals and six assists in 24 starts.
Kotschau added seven goals and six assists for 20 points and matched Leyba for the team lead with six game-winning goals.
Faith Leyba also returns after recording four goals and four assists, giving CU four returning players who scored at least four goals last season.
Colorado's returning experience extends beyond its strikers. Caley Swierenga led the Buffs with nine assists in 2025, while Jordan Whiteaker recorded seven. Kotschau and Holley each added six assists as part of a Buffaloes attack that totaled 66 assists.
The Black and Gold averaged 2.46 goals per match last season, outscoring opponents 59-22 across 24 contests. Colorado finished the year with 361 shots and landed 166 on target while limiting opponents to 22 goals.
Facing An Old Foe
Colorado and Colorado State renew their in-state matchup Wednesday night in the 2026 regular-season opener.
One of the notable recent meetings between the programs came in CU's 2021 season opener at Prentup Field. The Black and Gold jumped out to a 3-0 advantage, getting goals from Shyra James, Jade Babcock-Chi and Shanade Hopcroft before lightning suspended play in the 51st minute.
Following a 129-minute weather delay, the match was officially called and declared a no-contest under NCAA rules.
The teams also battled to a scoreless draw in 2018. Colorado generated the majority of the opportunities in that meeting, outshooting CSU 30-11 and holding a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal. The Buffs also finished with an 11-4 edge in corner kicks, but neither side found a goal through regulation and two overtime periods.
The rivalry returns Wednesday at Prentup Field with both programs beginning their 2026 regular seasons and Colorado looking to carry the momentum from its exhibition victory into its first official match of the year.
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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