Leyba Earns Big 12 Offensive Player Of The Week

IRVING, Texas — Colorado senior forward Hope Leyba was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week following her hat trick in the Buffaloes' 6-0 win over Denver, the conference announced Wednesday.

The honor marks the fourth Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award of Leyba's career and her first of the 2026 season. She collected three weekly conference honors last season on her way to being named the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

Leyba accounted for half of Colorado's scoring in Friday's win over the Pioneers, recording her third career hat trick while putting all six of her shots on goal.

The Phoenix, Ariz., native opened her scoring in the 33rd minute, taking a feed from Reagan Kotschau and firing a shot into the top of the net to give CU a 2-0 advantage.

Leyba added her second goal in the 53rd minute, again connecting with Kotschau, before completing the hat trick less than seven minutes later. Michaela McGowan and Jordan Whiteaker combined to set up Leyba's third goal, pushing the Buffs' lead to 5-0.

The three-goal performance moved Leyba to 83 career points, placing her fifth on Colorado's all-time scoring list.

"It doesn't get old," Leyba said following the win. "Scoring never gets old."

Leyba, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a 2025 First Team All-American, leads Colorado with six goals through eight matches this season. She has also totaled three assists and 15 points.

Colorado (6-1-1) opens Big 12 play on Thursday, Sept. 17, traveling to Ames, Iowa, to take on Iowa State. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Reagan Kotschau

Hope Leyba

Michaela McGowan

Jordan Whiteaker

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Results

Completed Event: Soccer versus Denver on September 11, 2026 , Win , 6, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer versus Utah State on September 6, 2026 , Win , 2, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer versus New Mexico on September 3, 2026 , Win , 3, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer at Michigan State on August 30, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 3

Completed Event: Soccer at Western Michigan on August 27, 2026 , Tie , 0, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer versus Cal State Fullerton on August 20, 2026 , Win , 3, to, 2

Completed Event: Soccer versus Army on August 16, 2026 , Win , 6, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer versus Colorado State on August 12, 2026 , Win , 2, to, 1