CU’s record-breaking season ends at the hands of Michigan State

Forward Hope Leyba attacks the ball in CU's season-ending loss against Michigan State. (Photo by CU Athletics/CUSoccerX)

The No. 3-seeded Colorado Buffaloes' (17-4-3, Big 12 8-1-2) season started and ended against the No. 2 Michigan State Spartans (15-3-6, Big 10 7-1-3). In the third round of the NCAA Tournament, the Buffs were unable to overcome the Spartans as they fell 2-1 on Sunday morning.

In the first minute of play, MSU midfielder Bella Najera put the ball past CU keeper Jordan Nytes to give her squad the early lead. In the first matchup, Colorado’s early goal set the tone for the rest of the matchup and even the season. This time, Michigan State’s early goal put the Buffs behind, and with a mountain to climb, they had to play from behind all day.

"It was a great match, everything you expected out of a Sweet 16," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed after the loss. "Like I told the team afterwards, I'm really proud of how they responded after giving up that early goal. We didn't hang our heads. I thought we changed things up … Unfortunately, it didn't fall for us today, but that doesn't take away from the five great seniors that put us in this position."

Early on, the Spartans appeared to be the better team; they pressed the Buffs' backline by applying constant shots on goal. Midway through the first half, Michigan State had six shots on net compared to Colorado’s one.

Following a missed opportunity by Big 12 Forward of the Year Hope Leyba, the Buffs began to apply constant pressure on the Spartans' backline.

The pressure paid off in the 33rd minute, as a CU corner kick found its way to defender Faith Leyba, who blasted the ball off of midfielder Lexi Meyer and into the net. The goal was Meyer’s third of the season, and it knotted the game at one.

Heading into halftime, the game was level, and both squads had produced six shots on target. The Buffs had 45 minutes to extend their season and prove they were the best team on the pitch.

Despite Colorado’s promising end to the first half, it was the Spartans who came out of the half firing.

Ten minutes into the second half, MSU was awarded a penalty after Big 10 Forward of the Year Kennedy Bell was chopped down on the edge of the box. Najera stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly sent Nytes the wrong way to convert the foul into the Spartans’ second goal.

The Buffs desperately looked for their second equalizing goal of the match, but were unable to find it. The Spartans successfully parked the bus for the final minutes to tame Colorado’s high-flying attack.

Despite the unfortunate end, the Buffs had a historic season. This team broke the program record for most wins, goals, and assists. H. Leyba broke the record for most goals in a season with 22, and Nytes broke the record for most clean sheets as a Buff. 

"Jordi is the best keeper in the country, and she made a couple of saves that she needed to make," Sanchez continued. "I think their movement in the midfield was really good. I thought for the most part, we did an ok job with it. Obviously, disappointed to lose on a penalty like that, but that's soccer."

Colorado looks to build upon their record-breaking season in their next exhibition games, which will be played in the spring.