Early Goals Power Buffs Past New Mexico

Thursday, September 3

Boulder, Colo.

7 p.m.

Colorado

4-1-1, 0-0-0

New Mexico

2-2-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
New Mexico	0	0	0
Colorado	2	1	3

September 03, 2026 | Soccer

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By: Cody Cutone, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER — The No. 24 Colorado Buffaloes returned to Prentup Field in commanding fashion Thursday evening, defeating New Mexico 3-0 behind two goals in the opening 14 minutes.

Senior forward Hope Leyba recorded a career-high two assists, while Ruby Hayward, Emma Thielbahr and Michaela McGowan each found the back of the net. Colorado improved to 4-1-1 on the season with the victory.

The win marked Colorado's 150th all-time victory at Prentup Field and extended the Buffs' home unbeaten streak to 19.

Prior to the game, Ralphie made her return to Prentup, running on the pitch for the first time since 2022.

"I thought the energy tonight was fantastic from the supporters," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "And we got to take advantage of being at home."

How It Happened
Colorado wasted little time getting on the board. In the seventh minute, Hayward finished into the bottom-right corner off assists from Leyba and senior defender Caley Swierenga, giving the Buffs a 1-0 advantage.

Less than seven minutes later, the Buffs struck again. Off a corner kick from senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau, H. Leyba rose to meet the ball with a header that clanged off the crossbar. Senior defender Emma Thielbahr pounced on the rebound, heading it into the back of the net in the 14th minute for her first goal of the season.

Colorado controlled the opening half on both ends of the field. The Buffs outshot New Mexico 12-2, held an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal and earned all eight of the half's corner kicks. New Mexico did not register its first shot until the 21st minute.

Freshman goalkeeper Brooke Goerish went the full 90 minutes in goal and turned away all five shots she faced, earning her third win of the season and preserving the clean sheet.

The shutout continued Colorado's strong defensive history against the Lobos. CU is now 4-0-1 all-time against New Mexico and has never conceded a goal in the series. The previous four meetings ended 1-0, 0-0, 4-0 and 2-0.

"It was really important just to get momentum as a team and show that we're a really great team that can score great goals," H. Leyba said.

Colorado put the match out of reach in the 67th minute, when McGowan fired across goal and into the upper-right corner. The strike marked her fourth goal of the season, tying Kotschau for the team lead, and capped the scoring at 3-0.

The Buffs finished the night with a 21-10 advantage in shots, putting 13 on target, while also holding a commanding 10-1 edge in corner kicks.

UP NEXT: Colorado will remain at Prentup Field to host Utah State on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 12 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and will feature a pregame Mutton Bustin' event.

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.