Hope Leyba’s record-breaking season a testament to work ethic and dedication
- Aramis Loma-Guzman
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
Following the departure of Colorado’s all-time leading goal scorer, Shyra James, it was unclear if the Buffaloes had any player who could replicate her goal-scoring ability.
Junior striker Hope Leyba has since answered the call and demonstrated she is among the best nines in the country.
In the past 13 games, Leyba has garnered national attention due to her natural ability to score goals from anywhere on the pitch. She has already bagged 14 goals, which is good for second-most in the country.
“I always knew I was going to go pro,” Leyba told Sko Buffs Sports on Wednesday. “Everyone told me to have a second option, but I knew [soccer] would be my first.”
Along with her twin sister Faith, the two have played since they were first graders. As teenagers, the twins played for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake’s youth academy in Arizona.
She only needed one season of high school soccer to be ranked the No. 2 player in the Rocky Mountain & Southwest Region and the No. 12-ranked forward in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. In her lone season as a striker for Boulder Creek, she scored 32 goals and assisted another 14.
In her third year as a Buff, her scorching form led CU’s offense to new heights. In just nine games, this team matched last year’s goal total.
Leyba became the first Buff ever to have multiple hat-tricks in a single season and already has the most goals scored by a junior in a single season.
Following week two of the season, which saw her score three times against the Fordham Rams and twice against the UNC Greensboro Spartans, Leyba was named Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week (POTW).
In Colorado’s second Big 12 game against the Iowa State Cyclones, she scored her second hat-trick of the season. In the following game, she scored an 86th-minute winner against the Houston Cougars. The two fixture stretch earned her a second Big 12 Co-Offensive POTW.
Against the then No. 7 TCU Horned Frogs, Leyba scored the dagger en route to Colorado’s biggest upset win in four years.
But for Leyba, the glowing start isn't just a fluke.
In her first year in black and gold, she was one of five players to start all 21 games. Leyba was second on the team for total shots and shots on goal. She struggled to find the net most of the season and only scored on two occasions.
Even though Leyba’s stats weren't flashy, it was clear that her work ethic was unmatched. The striker constantly made runs up the sides of the pitch to open up lanes for her teammates to fill.
“She scored two goals as a freshman, but her effort, focus and work rate on both sides of the ball were impressive,” head coach Danny Sanchez told CU Athletics. “I think once again, if she’s not scoring, she brings so much else. Her work ethic, keeping balls alive.”
The following season, Leyba’s hard work paid off. James spent a third of the season sidelined due to injury, which left Leyba as the lone striker. As a sophomore, Leyba led CU in goals with eight and total points with 18.
She finished the campaign on fire. In the Buffs’ Big 12 tournament run, she scored in CU’s round one win against Utah and in their 3-1 round two loss against TCU. In the NCAA tournament, she also scored during Colorado’s 3-2 win against Georgia.
Her strong finish last year has contributed to her blazing hot start this season. Leyba is on pace to break National Women’s Soccer League championship winner Nikki Marshall’s single-season goal record of 17, which was set in 2006.
If the striker stays in form and continues breaking records that have stood for almost two decades, the Buffs could make a deep run in the Big 12 tournament that starts on Nov. 3.
“I just kept working,” Leyba said. “When it wasn’t working for me, I kept pushing. I prayed all the time, and god answered my prayers.”
Leyba and the No.21 Buffs are set to take on the Utah Utes (7-5-3, 2-2-2). Kickoff is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).
Comments