Leyba ties CU single-season goal record in upset victory against No. 5 Texas Tech

Colorado striker Hope Leyba corrals the ball during Thursday's win over No. 5 Texas Tech. (Photo by Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports)

The No. 22 Colorado Buffaloes (12-2-3, 6-1-2 Big 12) defeated the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-2-2, 6-1-2 Big 12) 3-0 Thursday night. The win is tied for the highest-ranked win in program history.

The Red Raiders, who were unbeaten in their last 15 Big 12 matchups coming into Prentup, were dominated all night by the Buffs' offense led by Hope Leyba. The striker scored a brace en route to tying CU’s single-season goal record of 17 set by Nikki Marshall in the 2006 season.

Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez elected to run a 4-4-2 with Jace Holley and Hope Leyba as the strikers. CU was without its third forward, Emerson Layne, but they did not skip a beat and continued to trouble TTU’s backline all night.

“It means everything, it shows off my hard work and the hard work from my teammates,” Leyba said after the win. “We have the best offense in the nation.”

In the 12th minute, midfielder Ava Priest slotted a ball into the bottom left bin from above the 18-yard box to put the Buffs ahead early. Three minutes later, the junior’s flip throw-in found its way towards Leyba, who redirected the ball into the net.

The press from the Colorado offense flustered TTU and made them concede twice in the first half, something they had not done all season.

Despite not being able to get a third first-half goal, the Buffs went into halftime comfortably in the driver's seat. Although Colorado only had one more shot on goal than the Red Raiders, they were able to convert two of them into goals.

In the 63rd minute, Leyba tied history after she blasted the ball into the net from the right side of the penalty box. The striker has two regular-season matches left to break the record.

Texas Tech finally went on the offensive, but CU goalkeeper Jordan Nytes weathered the storm for the remaining 27 minutes. The two-time Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year made 10 saves on the night and was able to keep her 25th clean sheet in black and gold. Nytes is now in a three-way tie for most shutouts in program history.

“I can't take all the credit myself; shutouts come from the whole team,” Nytes said. “It's awesome being able to tie the record, but there's more work to do.”

With the two regular-season games remaining, the Big 12 Tournament on the horizon, CU looks to continue to add more impressive wins to its resume.

“You don't get records if you're not a great team,” Sanchez said. “We are a good team, we are committed, we have great leadership and we are excited, [there’s] a ton of soccer to play.”

The Buffs will celebrate senior night on Sunday against the Arizona Wildcats (7-9, 2-6 Big 12). Kickoff is set for noon MT at Prentup Field (ESPN+).