No. 24 Colorado grounds ASU behind Kotschau and Holley goals

Jace Holley has made her impact felt as a leader in just her second collegiate season. (Photo by Fidel Gonzalez/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (10-2-2, 4-1-1 Big 12) defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils (9-3-2, 2-3-1 Big 12) 2-0 on Friday night. The Colorado attack produced 27 shots, 11 of which were on goal. 

From the first whistle, the Buffs forwards put pressure on ASU’s backline. Five minutes in, striker Emerson Layne nearly caught the keeper off her line, but her shot soared over the crossbar.

Colorado’s constant pressure nearly resulted in scores, but the two miraculous goal-line clearances from ASU defenders kept the game level.

CU broke through in the 40th minute by way of a Caley Swierenga delivery that was nodded into the net by midfielder Reagan Kotschau.

“We came out with a lot of energy,”  Kotschau said after the win. “Caley put a great ball in, and I was lucky to get on the end of it, the goal really gave us energy.”

Heading into the half, Kotschau's goal was all that separated the two squads. Colorado had five shots on target and looked like the superior team, but Arizona State’s defense denied the home team four times.

ASU keeper Pauline Nelles had a busy day at the office. Following the second half whistle, she made save after save to keep her team in the game. Nelles finished the night with nine saves, including three impressive saves on CU’s Hope Leyba, who led the nation in goals with 14 going into the match. 

The Colorado attack kept providing crosses near the penalty area, but none were converted into goals. 

The Buffs were finally able to capitalize after midfielder Maddie Sharrer played a perfectly placed ball that found striker Jace Holley. The sophomore calmly put the ball past Nelles to put her into double-digit scores on the season. 

The Colorado defense held firm for the remainder of the match. The backline only allowed nine shots to the Sun Devils, who average 15.6 per game.

“A really good performance by the Buffs tonight,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said after the game. “ Nothing cheap about those goals… really pleased with that and how we defended.”

Colorado heads to Salt Lake City to battle the Utah Utes (6-5-3, 1-2-2) on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).