Buffs' Bust Utah State For Western Day Win

Sunday, September 6

Boulder, Colo.

12 p.m.

Colorado

5-1-1, 0-0-0

Utah State

4-2-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Utah St.	0	0	0
Colorado	1	1	2

September 06, 2026 | Soccer

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By: Keala Mermel, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER — The No. 24 Colorado Buffaloes soccer team returned to Prentup Field to play Utah State on Sunday afternoon, earning a second straight shutout win, 2-0. The contest marked the team's 625th official match in CU history and the first against the Aggies in program history.

With the win, CU's 151st at Prentup Field, the Buffs improve to 5-1-1 on the season and a perfect 5-0-0 at home, extending their home unbeaten streak to 20 matches. The loss drops Utah State to 3-3-1

Prior to the action, CU held a pregame mutton bustin' event, as part of soccer's first-ever "Western Day," and then the Buffaloes proceeded to take the Aggies for a 90-minute ride.

"I thought the second half was very good. I told the team, Utah State is a very good team," head coach Danny Sanchez said. "I thought we really limited their opportunities. Got two good goals, and maybe unfortunate to not get a couple more. Thought our pressing in the second half and our quality of movement in the final third was very good. So a very solid win against a very good team."

Senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau opened the scoring with a goal from a penalty kick, making her the lone leader in points for the 2026 season with 13. After connecting with Hope Leyba for a goal from the corner, she is now tied for the lead in assists with senior forward Hope.

CU's powerhouse forward, Hope found the back of the net in the 63rd minute, bringing her career points to 76, just two points shy of tying Katie Griffin (78) for 5th place on Colorado's career points list.

How It Happened

The Buffs seized the early lead after being awarded a penalty kick from a foul on senior defender Faith Leyba, taken by Kotschau. The Colorado native smashed the ball into the bottom right corner as Utah State's goalkeeper dove left, putting CU ahead 1-0.

Through the match, Colorado continued creating opportunities despite facing heavy pressure from Utah State's defense. The Buffaloes displayed offensive firepower, firing the ball toward the goal, but Aggies' goalkeeper Ivy Nystrom continued to ward off the offensive strikes.

Freshman goalkeeper Brooke Goerish started the game playing a crucial role in the match with five saves in the first half to tie her career-high for an entire match.

With both teams battling hard, they combined for 12 fouls, but Colorado ended the opening half with a 1-0 advantage.

The Buffaloes kept battling as they rolled into the second half.

In the 63rd minute, CU extended its lead to 2-0 as Hope powered home a header off a fierce corner kick taken by Kotschau.

Team captain Kotschau paid a nod to Colorado's second clean sheet.

"It just shows that we're really defending as a whole, and our backline is connected," said Kotschau. "It's something we've been working on too. It's just as important as getting goals to us."

Behind 15 shots, a commanding 12-3 edge in corner kicks, and seven saves from Colorado's now primary goalkeeper Goerish, the Buffs closed out the intense matchup with a hard-earned win.

UP NEXT: Colorado will remain at Prentup Field to host in-state rival Denver on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+. Tickets are now available, and the Buffs are expecting a full house for Alumni Weekend.

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.