Colorado blanks Arizona in record-breaking game

Hope Leyba charges after a ball (Photo by Kainoa Hiatt/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (12-2-3, 7-1-2 Big 12) went head-to-head against the Arizona Wildcats (7-11, 2-8 Big 12) on their senior day, taking the win in a 1-0 shutout and breaking two school records.

Twenty-six minutes into the first half, Hope Leyba scored the first and only goal of the game, off a rebounded Faith Lebya attempt. Hope Leyba not only put the Buffs on the board, but she also broke the single-season program goal record with today being her 18th goal. 

“We rely on each other, and that's how we break records, together,” Hope Leyba said.

Before the game, the team honored its five graduating seniors, Josie Master, Greer Maguire, Mallory Allen, Emerson Layne and Jordan Nytes. 

As the game got underway, the Wildcats pushed the Buffs towards their defensive positions; however, Colorado pushed back. Each team took seven shots in the first period, and Arizona had three saves. 

The second half of the game was up and down the field, both teams playing some hard defense. Arizona took five shots, and Colorado took four. Senior Jordan Nytes blocked both shots on goal in the second half, which led to the shutout. This was Nytes’ 26th career shutout, leading her also to break a record for career shutouts.

“All credit to everybody else on the field in front of us," Nytes said. "Hope scores that goal because someone passes it to her, and I get that shutout because of the defense in front of me."

Colorado will play the Kansas Jayhawks on Thursday in Kansas (ESPN+).