GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The No. 22 ranked Colorado Buffaloes (4-1) traveled to North Carolina on Thursday night to play against the UNC Greensboro Spartans (0-2-1).
The first half started slow as Colorado had four shots and UNCG had two shots, none of which were on goal.
The half ended in a scoreless draw with the game up for grabs going into the final forty-five minutes.
To start the second half, both squads brought in five subs in hopes of keeping their legs fresh to jump off to a fast start. Within the first three minutes, Colorado got its first shot on goal when sophomore forward Hope Leyba found the ball on a counterattack with a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Emma Malone. Unfortunately for the Buffaloes, Malone reacted quickly by moving up in the box and cutting off Leyba’s angle to make the save.
In the sixty-sixth minute, UNC Greensboro midfielder Rachel Poplin put a daunting strike on the ball from well beyond the box forcing junior goalkeeper Jordan Nytes to punch it out for a corner kick.
Four minutes later, Colorado broke the tie in the 71st minute from a miraculous assist by Nytes, who launched a set piece towards fifth-year senior forward Shyra James for a header at the back post.
In twenty-six appearances for the buffs, Nytes tallied her first assist and point at the Division I level while James added to her record of most goals scored all-time at CU with 45.
In the final five minutes, CU attempted to break the game wide open off a Spartans' goal kick that James beautifully headed towards Leyba, giving her another opportunity to score with only Malone in her sights. Leyba dribbled around Malone but was surrounded by three UNC defenders before having time to get a solid shot on goal.
After ninety minutes, Colorado remained on top 1-0, claiming its fourth win on the season and keeping them as a nationally ranked team.
The Buffaloes only have to travel 75 miles to their next opponent, the No. 25 North Carolina State Wolfpack. Colorado looks to continue its dominating start by beating its first-ranked team this Sunday at 5 p.m. MT, streaming on the ACC network.
Cover photo by CU Athletics/X
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