University of Colorado Athletics
Sunday, August 30
East Lansing, Mich.
9 a.m.
Colorado
at
Michigan State
Colorado Falls To No. 3 Michigan State
August 30, 2026 | Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The No. 12 Colorado Buffaloes soccer team closed its two-match Michigan road trip against No. 3 Michigan State on Sunday morning at DeMartin Stadium. The Buffs fell behind by three goals in the first half but mounted a furious second-half comeback before ultimately falling 3-2 in their first ranked matchup of the season.
Colorado moves to 3-1-1 on the season as it shifts its focus to a home match against New Mexico on Thursday.
"We didn't play well in the first half, and Michigan State took advantage of it," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "Having said that, in the second half we showed what we're capable of. Against a good team on the road, we created a lot of good chances, scored two good goals and gave ourselves a chance to get back into it. But we dug ourselves too big a hole against a good team on the road. There are no moral victories in that. We'll take the positives we got out of it and get ready for New Mexico on Thursday."
Similar to Thursday's match against Western Michigan, goalkeepers Jamie Campbell and Brooke Goerish split time between the posts, with Campbell returning to the starting role. Campbell recorded three saves in the opening 45 minutes before Goerish took over in the second half and made one save while holding the Spartans scoreless.
How It Happened
Early morning rain came down on the pitch as the match kicked off at the home of the Spartans, as the Buffaloes made their first trip to East Lansing since falling to Michigan State in last year's NCAA Sweet 16.
Out of the gate, Michigan State showcased its dominance, finding the net within the first minute. Despite the goal being called back due to an offside call, the Spartans continued to capitalize on opportunities as the first half continued.
The Spartans continued to push forward and broke through in the 21st minute when pressure in the Colorado penalty area resulted in an own goal, giving Michigan State a 1-0 advantage.
Four minutes later, Emerson Sargeant doubled the lead off assists from Faith George and Kennedy Bell. Sargeant struck again in the 32nd minute, finishing another chance created by Bell to put Michigan State ahead 3-0.
Colorado prevented further damage before halftime, including a late sliding challenge from Emma Thielbahr that broke up a Michigan State attack. The Spartans carried the 3-0 advantage into the break.
The Buffaloes came out with renewed pressure in the second half and began to chip away at the deficit. Senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau put Colorado on the board in the 58th minute, finishing from the top of the box off an assist from Lexi Meyer to make it 3-1. It was Kotschau's team-leading fourth goal of the season, giving her nine points through five matches.
Colorado continued to press, after opportunities from Ruby Hayward and Lexi Meyer were directly followed by a "Leyba to Leyba" goal in the 77th minute, with Hope Leyba finishing off an assist from Faith Leyba and a second assist from Thielbahr to bring the Buffs within one at 3-2. That's as close as CU would come, as Michigan State held on throughout the remaining frantic 13 minutes to salt away the 3-2 victory.
UP NEXT: The Colorado Buffaloes return to Prentup Field to host New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Colorado's live mascot Ralphie will run at Thursday's match, weather permitting. Tickets for all home soccer matches are available here.
SOCIALS: For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
Colorado moves to 3-1-1 on the season as it shifts its focus to a home match against New Mexico on Thursday.
"We didn't play well in the first half, and Michigan State took advantage of it," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "Having said that, in the second half we showed what we're capable of. Against a good team on the road, we created a lot of good chances, scored two good goals and gave ourselves a chance to get back into it. But we dug ourselves too big a hole against a good team on the road. There are no moral victories in that. We'll take the positives we got out of it and get ready for New Mexico on Thursday."
Similar to Thursday's match against Western Michigan, goalkeepers Jamie Campbell and Brooke Goerish split time between the posts, with Campbell returning to the starting role. Campbell recorded three saves in the opening 45 minutes before Goerish took over in the second half and made one save while holding the Spartans scoreless.
How It Happened
Early morning rain came down on the pitch as the match kicked off at the home of the Spartans, as the Buffaloes made their first trip to East Lansing since falling to Michigan State in last year's NCAA Sweet 16.
Out of the gate, Michigan State showcased its dominance, finding the net within the first minute. Despite the goal being called back due to an offside call, the Spartans continued to capitalize on opportunities as the first half continued.
The Spartans continued to push forward and broke through in the 21st minute when pressure in the Colorado penalty area resulted in an own goal, giving Michigan State a 1-0 advantage.
Four minutes later, Emerson Sargeant doubled the lead off assists from Faith George and Kennedy Bell. Sargeant struck again in the 32nd minute, finishing another chance created by Bell to put Michigan State ahead 3-0.
Colorado prevented further damage before halftime, including a late sliding challenge from Emma Thielbahr that broke up a Michigan State attack. The Spartans carried the 3-0 advantage into the break.
The Buffaloes came out with renewed pressure in the second half and began to chip away at the deficit. Senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau put Colorado on the board in the 58th minute, finishing from the top of the box off an assist from Lexi Meyer to make it 3-1. It was Kotschau's team-leading fourth goal of the season, giving her nine points through five matches.
Colorado continued to press, after opportunities from Ruby Hayward and Lexi Meyer were directly followed by a "Leyba to Leyba" goal in the 77th minute, with Hope Leyba finishing off an assist from Faith Leyba and a second assist from Thielbahr to bring the Buffs within one at 3-2. That's as close as CU would come, as Michigan State held on throughout the remaining frantic 13 minutes to salt away the 3-2 victory.
UP NEXT: The Colorado Buffaloes return to Prentup Field to host New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Colorado's live mascot Ralphie will run at Thursday's match, weather permitting. Tickets for all home soccer matches are available here.
SOCIALS: 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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