Buffs dominate Air Force, get first home win of the season

Colorado Buffaloes soccer celebrates a goal during its comfortable win on Sunday over the Air Force Falcons. (Photo by Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (1-0-1) dismantled the Air Force Falcons 4-1 on Sunday evening thanks to inspired play from a frontline that produced three different goal scorers, including sophomore Jace Holley, who scored two goals.

From the first whistle, it was clear that Colorado was the superior team. The attack, led by Holley and striker Hope Leyba, was easily driving the ball into the box and pressuring Air Force’s keeper, while the Falcons’ attack was struggling to get past the center backs.

In the 15th minute, CU midfielder Reagan Kotschau flicked a ball into the box that found attacker Emerson Layne. The senior headed the ball past the keeper and into the net, but the goal was immediately ruled offside.

The Buffs responded a minute later by way of a Holley curler from outside of the 18-yard box. It crept into the bottom left bin to score the game’s first goal.

Eleven minutes later, Leyba drove into the penalty area and was chopped down by a Falcons defender, which resulted in CU being awarded a penalty. On the ensuing spot kick, Kotschau blasted the ball into the net to score her first goal as a Buff and extend the lead to two.

Colorado Buffaloes defender Caley Swierenga battles around an Air Force Falcons player on Sunday. (Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports)

Heading into halftime, Colorado was in the driver's seat. Although Air Force was sending shots towards reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year Jordan Nytes, nothing had troubled the backline.

Three minutes into the second half, a Kotschau corner kick found its way to Leyba, who tapped it into the net. The striker has scored in each of her last three games.

In the 65th minute, the Falcons were able to get back following a great team play that ended with captain Peyton Ferrell slotting the ball into an empty net. The Air Force offense was testing the Buffs' defense in the final 45 minutes, and had it not been for Nytes, who had six saves, the match could have ended with a different result.

Four minutes before the final whistle, Holley capped off her brace after she headed a perfectly placed cross from defender Carley Swierenga past AFA’s goalie.

“Second game at home, we got one under our belts,” Holley said after the win. “This one felt really good, we felt really good out there.”

The Buffs will host the Fordham Rams on Thursday at 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).