Buffs roll past Colorado College in exhibition

Colorado Buffaloes midfielder Reagan Kotschau was one of several transfers to excel in the season opener against Colorado College. (Photo by Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Colorado College Tigers 2-0 on Thursday night in a highly competitive and intense fixture. 

It took 75 minutes for the Buffs to find a good offensive rhythm, even though the Buffs outshot Colorado College 21-1.

In the 16th minute, Colorado newcomer Reagan Kotschau played a cross that found the head of junior forward Hope Leyba inches in front of the keeper, which was somehow saved and knocked out of play. 

Through the first 45 minutes of the match, CU looked out of sync. Routine passes were ending up out of bounds, and the attack was unable to put the ball in the back of the net despite having various opportunities to do so. 

The defense, on the other hand, looked formidable. The backline constantly frustrated the Tigers' offense and only allowed one shot on target. This defense allowed for reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year Jordan Nytes to have a quiet night, only needing to make one save.

The beginning minutes of the second half looked identical to the first 45. In minute 52, Leyba’s one-on-one chance against the goalie ended after her shot was blocked by a sliding defender.

Colorado's defense was in midseason form on Thursday, with freshman Lilian Zamorano making a solid first impression. (Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports)

 Despite having golden opportunities to open the night’s scoring, Colorado made it difficult for themselves to succeed since they were not comfortable enough to take the first-time shots the Tigers gave them. 

Finally, in the 75th minute, Leyba beat her defender on the left side of the box and blasted the ball into the far-post net to score the game's first goal.

Nine minutes later, sophomore forward Riley MacDonald headed a free kick into the back of the net to extend the lead to two, effectively icing the game. The forward scored in her first game as a Buff.

“I was dedicated to get my head on it, and I ended up with the goal,” MacDonald said after the game.

Colorado was able to hold firm for the remaining six minutes and did not allow a single opportunity for Colorado College to score. 

“We are going to have to be more efficient going forward,” Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez said. “At the end of the day, if we play a game we want to win, and we won the game.”

The Buffs look to start their regular season off on the right foot against the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday night. Last season, Michigan State ended with a 14-3-5 record and was ranked the No. 16 team in the nation. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. MT from Prentup Field.