Leyba’s Hat Trick Carries Buffs To 6-0 Win Over Denver

Friday, September 11

Boulder, Colo.

7 p.m.

Colorado

6-1-1, 0-0-0

Denver

1-4-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Denver	0	0	0
Colorado	3	3	6

Leyba’s Hat Trick Carries Buffs To 6-0 Win Over Denver

September 11, 2026 | Soccer

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By: Iseck Hurtado, Athletic Communications Associate

BOULDER — The No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes soccer team defeated Denver, 6-0, on Friday night at Prentup Field, improving to 6-1-1 on the 2026 season.

Hope Leyba recorded her third career hat trick as the Buffs closed out their non-conference schedule in front of a crowd of 1,855. Colorado now takes a three-match win streak on the road, opening Big 12 play at Iowa State on Thursday, Sept. 17.

"I thought we played fantastic," said head coach Danny Sanchez. "I want to give a shout-out to the crowd. This should be the standard. Even with other things going on, with football tomorrow, what a fantastic crowd and what a way to honor our alums that came back and our four Wall of Honor (recipients)."

CU claimed victory with three goals from Leyba and one each from Michaela McGowan, Berkley Mensik and Hannah Healy. Leyba has now totaled 83 career points, ranking her fifth in program history.

"She created tons of opportunities, and finished her opportunities tonight," Sanchez said.

"I thought it was just fun playing with my teammates," Leyba said.

Senior team captain Reagan Kotschau assisted on two of Leyba's three goals.

"I know exactly what she's going to do every time," Kotschau said. "I feel like I don't even have to look at her to play her the ball. She's super awesome, easy to get the ball to. I love playing with her."

HOW IT HAPPENED
McGowan drove in a goal against one of her former teams in the ninth minute. A low driven shot into the bottom left corner of the net off an assist by forward Ruby Hayward allowed the Buffs to secure an early lead.

Colorado found the net for the second time in the 33rd minute. Leyba recorded her first goal of the night after receiving a pass from Kotschau from the top of the box, firing a right-footed shot to the top of the net and extending the Buffs' lead 2-0.

The Buffaloes extended their lead in the final seconds of the first half. Mensik ignited the Black and Gold's third goal, finishing off assists from Jordan Whiteaker and Sienna McAthy.

Colorado's control was evident by halftime. The Buffs tallied 13 shots, with nine on goal, and 6-0 advantage in corner kicks, while holding Denver to zero shots.

As the second half continued the Buffs continued to run away with the lead. In the 53rd minute Kotschau carried the ball from midfield into the box before finding Leyba, who scored her second goal of the game to give the Buffs a 4-0 lead.

Leyba's stellar night continued as she recorded a hat trick in the 59th minute. Whiteaker connected with McGowan, who slipped the ball to the match's leading scorer for the finish.

In the 74th minute, the Buffs were awarded a penalty kick after Kaia Santomarco-King was fouled inside the box. Healy stepped up to take the penalty and sent the ball past the keeper into the bottom-right corner of the net, topping off Colorado's scoring 6-0.

Nikki Marshall, Laura Munnelly, Fran Munnelly and Taylor Kornieck were recognized at halftime as inaugural honorees of the Colorado Soccer Wall of Honor. The four former Buffaloes made history as the inaugural class, with additional members set to be recognized for the honor in future years. The Wall of Honor will be installed at Prentup Field at a later date.

UP NEXT: Colorado will travel to Ames, Iowa on Thursday, Sept 17. to battle Iowa State at 5 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

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.