The Colorado Buffaloes (10-1-1, 4-0-1 Big 12) took down the Kansas Jayhawks (5-4-3, 2-3 Big 12) in a low-scoring slow game. The Buffaloes held up on the defensive end adding their 8th shutout of the year to their resúme.
The Buffaloes started quickly as junior Juliauna Hayward took the kickoff and drew a foul seconds into the game. The Buffs looked in prime position to take an early lead in the game. A ball was played into grad student Rachel Rosen, who unleashed a hard shot towards the bottom center of the net which was saved by Kansas.
The Buffaloes found themselves in another attacking position after a multitude of hard fouls. The ball found itself in possession of Hayward again, dribbling inside and beating a defender before testing the keeper once again with a curling shot towards the bottom right corner which was saved wide.
Kansas seemed on their heels and stunned by Colorado’s fast and physical start until a dangerous Jayhawk cross that rolled right in front of junior Jordan Nytes’s goal. The Buffs’ defensive line came up big and blocked the shot away from the net, a trend that proved strong throughout the game.
As the first half continued, the Buffaloes’ “warm” welcome to the Big 12 proved evident. Both teams were called for multiple fouls during a physical first half. To set the tone for physicality, the black and gold were playing in an effective high press with forwards sophomore Hope Leyba and freshman Jace Holley leading the charge. The high press also forced Kansas into mistakes on their own end, giving the Buffaloes more chances.
The Buffaloes' midfield was also a dominant force controlling the center of the field. However, the Buffs couldn’t find much success in the attacking third, logging six shots but only three of them being on target.
The game started to slow down towards the end of the first half. Substitutions were made by both teams around the 40th minute, when Hope Leyba was called for a foul on a hard tackle. This was the first yellow card given in the game. However, this did not nullify the intensity and physicality of the game as five more fouls were called before the first half whistle was blown.
The second half began with the same amount of physicality with two fouls by Colorado and a hard tackle by Kansas, giving the Jayhawks their first yellow card of the contest. The game played on with bumps and bruises when Nytes may have had the highlight of her season with an outstretched diving double save, keeping the game scoreless.
The stop gave Colorado an opportunity to counterattack, as Hayward sprinted down the opposite way with the ball at her feet. The attack came short as the Kansas goalkeeper swallowed the ball up on a misplaced low cross. The game continued like this, with a couple of chances and hard fouls on both ends for about 20 minutes.
In the 73rd minute, Holley found herself with a one on one in front of the keeper, which was blocked as she shot it by a hustling tackle by one of Kansas’s defensive players. This was the hope that the Colorado team and fans needed. After the ball was kicked out, the stands rose and got loud, boosting the Buffaloes towards an 80th-minute goal by Holley.
Sophomore Ava Priest and her signature front flip throw-in put the ball right on the penalty mark. Both teams scrambled for the ball when Hope Leyba flicked the ball backwards into her sister, Faith, who dove towards the turf. The ball squirmed free in front of Holley who tapped the ball into that back of the net, giving the Buffaloes the late lead in the game.
“She’s putting her body on the line. Just gotta finish this for her and my team who has been working so hard all game,” Holley said on teammate Faith Leyba’s diving header assist.
“It was a great individual effort from five people to get that goal,” head coach Danny Sanchez said on Colorado’s late go-ahead score.
Kansas had some late attempts to equalize the ballgame; however, Colorado’s defense prevailed, sealing the 1-0 win.
The Buffaloes move to (10-1-1, Big 12 4-0-1) and will host the TCU Horned Frogs (8-2-2, Big 12 3-0-2) at home on Saturday, at 12 p.m. MT (ESPN+).
Cover photo by Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports
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