Buffs Ready For Final Match Of Homestand

BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes soccer team will close out its season-opening three-game homestand on Aug. 20, welcoming Cal State Fullerton to Prentup Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Colorado enters the match 2-0-0 following wins over in-state rival Colorado State and Army West Point to open the season.

"I think it's a good start to the season," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "Obviously, battling an in-state rival and getting a late winner from Lily Zamorano was a great start to the season on Wednesday. And then on Sunday, we played really well."

The Buffs are coming off a commanding 6-0 win over Army on Sunday, scoring four times in the first half before adding two more after the break. Colorado finished with a 21-0 advantage in shots, including a 15-0 edge in shots on goal, while also holding an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Army's zero shots established a CU program record for the fewest shots allowed in a match.

"We scored some really nice goals," Sanchez said. "Obviously, Hope's first goal was world class. But more importantly, I was really pleased defensively with what we did. To hold a team to no shots and no shots on goal, it doesn't happen very often, and I think it's a testament to our commitment from all 11 players defending."

Five different Buffaloes found the back of the net in the win. Hope Leyba opened the scoring with her first goal of the season before Michaela McGowan recorded the first multi-goal performance of her collegiate career. Reagan Kotschau added a goal and an assist, while freshmen Sloane Phillips and Sienna McAthy each recorded their first collegiate goals.

Leyba's goal marked the 33rd of her Colorado career, moving her into sole possession of fourth place on the program's all-time goals list. Kotschau has scored in each of Colorado's first two matches and enters Thursday with a team-leading five points on two goals and one assist.

The Army victory also marked Sanchez's 200th NCAA Division I win and his 164th victory as head coach of the Buffaloes.

Colorado now refocuses its attention to Cal State Fullerton in its lone match of the week.

"Excited for Thursday against Cal State Fullerton," Sanchez said. "It's a team that won their league last year, had 14 wins. Very well coached. Very dynamic. I think this will be a real test for us. It is a single-game week, so we can throw it all on the line on Thursday and hopefully continue a nice start to the season."

Fullerton enters Thursday's match following a scoreless draw at San Diego in its season opener. The Titans are coming off a 14-win campaign in 2025 and were picked third in the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches Poll.

Thursday will mark just the second meeting between Colorado and Cal State Fullerton. The programs first met at Prentup Field in 2021, when the Buffaloes earned a 4-2 victory.

Colorado enters the matchup unbeaten in its last 17 official matches at Prentup Field, posting a 13-0-4 record during the stretch. Following Thursday's match, the Buffs will hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Western Michigan on Aug. 27.