The Buffs move to 3-0 after hard-fought victory over Cal State Fullerton

The Buffaloes won their 18th straight game at home, in a 3-2 victory over Cal State Fullerton. (Photo by Tripp Mauldin / Sko Buffs Sports).

The Colorado Buffaloes (3-0-0) bent but didn't break in a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The victory brings CU to 3-0 for the first time since 2022.

In the third consecutive game, Colorado started its surge early.

In the eighth minute, Buffs midfielder Michaela McGowan beat the Cal State Fullerton goalkeeper at the near post to score her third goal of the season.

The Titans immediately responded as forward Cassie Villanueva was chopped down in the penalty area, and after a lengthy video review, was awarded a penalty. The striker converted the spot kick to tie the game.'

Thirteen minutes later, it appeared that the Buffs had once again taken the lead after the ball hit Cal State Fullerton’s net for the second time of the night. Instead, a video review overturned the goal.

In the 28th minute, a Colorado free kick led to a tap-in goal by sophomore forward Ruby Hayward, giving her squad the lead it had been desperately searching for. 

Heading into halftime, the Buffs led by one goal but were barely holding on.

Eight minutes into the second half, CU extended its lead as captain Reagan Kotschau sent a volley into the left side of the net, which left the keeper frozen in her tracks. The attacking midfielder has scored in each game to open up the season. 

“It just felt really awesome,” Kotschau said following the victory. “My teammates are bringing me up, bringing our team up. It makes me really excited for the rest of our games.” 

Following the goal, the Buffs held firm despite making several errors that could have been costly.

In the 80th minute, an error brought the Titans the lifeline they needed. Following a Colorado free kick deep in Fullerton territory, the Titans pieced together a counterattack that resulted in Mia LaRosa rolling the ball into the net after dribbling past CU goalkeeper Brooke Goerish.

Following the goal, CU went on the defensive and played behind the ball. The backline held firm for the remaining 10 minutes and held on to the lead to secure the three points.

“We tried to find ways not to get the result tonight,” said Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez after the game. “But if you don't ever put yourself in that situation, you don't learn from it, and I think it was a really good learning moment.”

It is now 18 straight games since CU has fallen at home.

“When teams come in here, especially teams that aren't from this area, we need to take care of business, so we took care of business tonight,” Sanchez said.

The Buffs will head to Kalamazoo to take on Western Michigan on Aug. 27. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. MT (ESPN+).