WATCH: Colorado women's soccer was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Texas A&M. (Video by Texas A&M Athletics/YouTube)
COLLEGE STATION, Texas– A tragic, unlucky deflection was the difference between CU's season continuing and ending on Friday night.
The Colorado women's soccer team was defeated by the Texas A&M Aggies at Ellis Field in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by a score of 1-0. The loss unfortunately brings the 2023 season to a close for the black and gold. Texas A&M, meanwhile, moves on to the second round against No. 1-seeded Florida State.
The game's lone goal came in the 22nd minute as freshman defender Faith Leyba slid in an attempt to clear away a forward-rolling ball towards the Buffs' net. The clear attempt ricocheted off of Aggie midfielder Mia Pante's right shin, unbelievably soaring 25 yards over CU goalkeeper Jordan Nytes's head and into the back of the net. Leyba, Nytes, and the rest of the Buffs were helpless as the Aggies went up 1-0, which would hold for the rest of the contest.
"I've been coaching for a long, long time and have never had a goal like that scored against us," said Buffs' head coach Danny Sanchez after the loss. "That's soccer. We had plenty of time to rally from that and unfortunately, we just couldn't find that final pass or that final moment to make it happen."
Other than the fluky goal, CU played a solid, evenly-matched game against No. 8-seeded A&M. They paced the top chance-creating team in the SEC the entire match, trailing 13 to 11 in total shots but putting five shots on goal compared to four by the Aggies. The time of possession battle was also rather tight, 46-54% in favor of Texas A&M. Nytes played an incredible game between the posts, coming up with three key saves, two of which via a dive or jump.
The match was a tough one to play through for both offenses, as misty conditions on Ellis Field worsened as the contest wore on. Star Buff forward and Pac-12 leader in goals Shyra James struggled, with none of her three shot attempts finding their target. Forward Hope Leyba compiled three shots as well, one of which was on goal. Midfielder Juliauna Hayward had two shots on goal, leading the team.
In the 15th minute, Freshman defender Ava Priest had perhaps the best chance of the first half for CU. Near the top of the box, she smashed a rolling ball that Aggie keeper Kenna Caldwell had to full-body stretch out for. After this chance, however, the Buffs had just one shot for the rest of the half.
The Buffs' best chance both in the second half and of the entire match came in the 60th minute. A Hayward cross into the box was misplayed by Caldwell, deflecting near the feet of forward Emerson Layne. The sophomore was just a bit too off-balance and had her shot blocked before it could get past the keeper.
CU had one last chance in the 88th minute on a corner kick. Finding success on set pieces (corners/free kicks) was one of the team's biggest strengths this season, but in this instance, the Buffs simply could not find the back of the net.
"It just didn't fall our way tonight," Sanchez discussed. "But it doesn't take away from the quality of this team and the quality of people in this program."
Counting tonight, Colorado finishes the 2023 season with 13 wins, four losses, and three draws. They also had their first NCAA tournament birth since 2020. Now, the black and gold look ahead to next year, though one that looks rather promising.
While senior Shyra James, an All Pac-12 First Team honoree, has played her last game in a CU uniform, Priest and Faith Leyba made the All Pac-12 Freshman team. The Buffs also have several other key contributors set to return next season, including Nytes, Hayward, Layne, and Hope Leyba.
Though the season may be over, Colorado had its best overall record since 2018 and looks ahead to another successful campaign at Prentup Field.
Comments