Buffs’ Big 12 Championship Tournament ends at the hands of No.7-seeded Kansas

Colorado defender Faith Leyba tangles up with Jayhawk forwards. (Photo by CU Athletics via X)

The No. 3-seeded Colorado Buffaloes (15-3-3, 8-1-2 Big 12) were eliminated from the Big 12 Championship tournament by the No. 7-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (14-4-3, 6-4-1 Big 12) 2-1 on Wednesday after conceding twice in the second half. 

Colorado’s successful conference season has come to an end after not finding a second-half goal. None of CU’s eight second-half shots were able to find the back of the net.

Through the first half, it was the Buffs with the better quality. Through the first 45 minutes, CU produced one fewer shot than KU, but had more set-piece chances. Three-time Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year Jordan Nytes made two saves to keep the Jayhawks off the scoreboard.

In the 27th minute, defender Faith Leyba scored the game's first goal after a corner kick found her at the near post. The junior calmly nodded the ball into the net for the score. 

Heading into halftime, the Buffs had the lead and were 45 minutes away from punching their ticket to the final of the tournament. Although Colorado was in the lead, it was clear that Kansas was desperately looking for a goal to level the game.

The Jayhawks’ equalizer came in the 55th minute, after forward Saige Wimes slotted the ball past Nytes and into the bottom left bin.

Twenty minutes later, freshman midfielder Lydia Viets scored Kansas’ second goal of the game, which put them ahead of the Buffs.

The Colorado offense, led by Big 12 Forward of the Year Hope Leyba, desperately looked for the tying goal, but it never came.

"Like I told the team, it's been a while since we lost," head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We didn't play our best soccer tonight. However, we left it all on the field. Anyone who watched this match can't question our commitment and our willingness to work hard. It just didn't happen for us tonight."

Although CU’s Big 12 tournament is over, its season is not. It did enough to earn an NCAA Tournament berth due to its performance in the regular season. The Buffs are poised to host a game in the tournament, but nothing is set in stone.

"It's disappointing," Sanchez said after the game. "But we still have a ton to play [for]. We'll be disappointed tonight, but tomorrow, we'll get back to working… We'll be ready for the NCAA Tournament."