Colorado opens 30th season with win against rival Colorado State
Colorado Buffaloes soccer picked up right where it left off last season to begin its 30th campaign.
The Buffs open their season with a 2-1 win over their in-state rivals, the Colorado State Rams, finding goals from senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau and sophomore defender Lilian Zamorano.
Buff fans had to wait nearly two hours after lightning delayed the 7 p.m. scheduled start.
“I really appreciate the fans sticking out the hour and a half wait,” head coach Danny Sanchez said after the game.
Despite the delayed start, No. 13 Colorado began early pressure on the Rams, resulting in two corner kicks in the first 15 minutes.
“First game of the year, so there was just a level of excitement,” Sanchez said. “They’re pros. Got a snack, took care of themselves, but they want to play soccer.”
After resetting the offense, defender Faith Leyba sent a long shot on goal which Colorado State freshman goalkeeper Addison Huber couldn’t prevent a rebound on. Midfielder Sloane Phillips found the head of forward Hope Leyba, who redirected to Kotschau for the Buffs’ first goal of the season.
Colorado continued to apply pressure on the Rams with multiple dangerous opportunities in front of the net. Hope Leyba had a header ring off the top crossbar for a narrow miss in the 21st minute and slid a pass across the goal line trying to connect with junior transfer forward Michaela McGowan. Junior goalkeeper Jamie Campbell and the defense prevented any kind of attack from producing results. Campbell stepped up to make three stops in the first half.
“I thought we played really well in the first 30 minutes of the game,” Sanchez said. “It was probably our best stretch.”
Freshman goalkeeper Brooke Goerish got the nod in net for the second half, making her first collegiate appearance.
A poor pass from McGowan led to an opportunity inside the box, which Rams freshman forward Ava Wallhead snuck past Goerish to equalize the game at one in the 67th minute.
A long pass from McGowan nearly found the head of Hope Leyba, but it soared past her and connected with forward Ruby Hayward. However, Hayward’s shot was denied by Huber. McGowan followed it up with a point-blank shot, but was again stopped by Huber. Despite the stops, momentum had mounted for the Buffs.
Colorado capitalized by forcing a clearance from the Rams, to which Zamorano put the Buffs up 2-1 on a long shot that sailed over the outstretched arms of Huber.
“I was trying to score a goal so bad last year,” Zamorano said after the game. “Now I’m even more happy it was in the first game against a rival.”
McGowan led the way in shots for either side after transferring from CSU to Colorado during the offseason. She put up six shots, including three strong ones that just missed the frame.
“Michaela, obviously you can see her danger in the attack,” Sanchez said. “Maybe a little disappointed not to get something out of it, but dangerous.”
Campbell and Goerish split the halves in net, and even though junior transfer Madeline Mueller didn’t see time, “this is a three-woman competition,” Sanchez said.
Colorado’s next game will be in Boulder at Prentup Field against the Army Black Knights. Kickoff is set for noon on Sunday, Aug. 16 (ESPN+).
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