Late score ruled offside, Buffaloes fall to Bears in Waco

Midfielder Emerson Layne scored Colorado's lone goal in Waco as the Buffaloes dropped Sunday's game to Baylor. (Photo via CUBuffsSoccer/X)

Colorado Buffaloes women’s soccer (9-2-2, 3-1-1 Big 12) fell to the No. 20-ranked Baylor Bears (9-1-2, 4-1-1) 2-1 after a lengthy video review took the Buffs’ game-tying goal off the board in the 89th minute. 

The Bears dominated CU in the stat sheet in shots (17-8), shots on goal (8-3) and corner kicks. Goalie Jordan Nytes recorded six saves after facing eight shots on target. Midfielder Emerson Layne scored Colorado’s only goal that tied the game in the second half. Bears midfielder Aryanna Jimison contributed Baylor's two goals, one in each half. 

Early on, the Buffs and Bears tested their opposing defenses. Colorado threw three shots that were all off target, and Baylor attempted four shots, with Nytes saving one. Jimmison finally broke through for her first score in the 30th minute. 

The Buffaloes would only attempt one more shot in the first half, which was one of their three shots on goal. Midfielder Lexi Meyer had an opportunity to knot the game back up with a shot towards the bottom right corner, but it was saved by Bears keeper Azul Alvarez. 

CU came out of the gates hot in the second half, with its next two shots on goal, and the second found nylon. With assistance from Caley Swierenga, Layne leveled the score with over 30 minutes left to play in the game. 

However, the Buffaloes’ defense lapsed as Baylor’s next shot was Jimison’s next score, taking the lead right back. 

The Buffaloes would continue to trail in the final moments, but a ball from Nytes just inside the midfield line found the foot of Faith Leyba, momentarily thought to be the game-tying goal. Instead, it was ruled to be offside, leaving little time for the Buffs to make a comeback. 

"Really proud of how we battled to the death," head coach Danny Sanchez said after the match. "It was a tight call, and obviously, I didn't see all the angles that the official saw. It is what it is. It's disappointing not to get the equalizer late, however, really pleased with how we played, especially in the second half."

Colorado returns to Prentup Field on Oct. 10 as the Buffaloes take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).