November 16th 2024.
The Colorado women's soccer team had been struggling with a scoreless streak that threatened to derail their entire season. It was a tough time for the team, as it seemed like they just couldn't catch a break no matter how hard they tried. However, when they were given the opportunity to extend their season in the NCAA Tournament, the Buffaloes took matters into their own hands and made their own luck. And as fate would have it, they were in the perfect place at the perfect time to capitalize on a crucial defensive mistake by their opponent, Georgia.
The stakes were high for this first-round battle in Athens, Georgia, and the Buffs were determined to break their pattern of early exits from the tournament in the past two years. Their hard work paid off as they secured a 3-2 victory over the Bulldogs, much to the excitement of their fans. This win also marked the first time the Buffs had scored three goals in a game since the beginning of the season in August.
The Buffs will now move on to face Wake Forest, the second-seeded team in the next round. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as this game against Georgia was no easy feat. The Buffs were down 2-1 at halftime, but they refused to back down. In the second half, they showed their resilience and determination with goals from Hope Leyba and Shyra James. James, who is already the all-time leader in goals for the Buffs, also reached a milestone in her career by becoming the second player in CU history to reach 100 points.
Head coach Danny Sanchez was proud of his team's performance and credited their momentum to Leyba's goal early in the second half. He also praised James for her smart and composed play, which led to the winning goal. But it was Leyba's hustle that set it all in motion, just like it did in their previous game against Utah, where she delivered a crucial goal to keep their season alive. Leyba's determination and effort were once again on display in this game, as she drew a foul while trying to deliver a centering pass, leading to a penalty kick that put the Buffs in the lead.
Georgia fought back, scoring two goals in a short span of time to take the lead before halftime. But the Buffs refused to be discouraged and continued to play their hearts out. In the end, it was Leyba who tied the game at 2-2 with a powerful shot that she followed up with her own rebound. And then, in the 63rd minute, James did what she does best – score goals. Georgia had a few chances to tie the game, but their shots hit the post, and the Buffs' goalie, Jordan Nytes, had an impressive seven saves throughout the game.
Sanchez was pleased with his team's performance and believed that they were due for a game like this. He also commended the players for sticking to their game plan and never giving up, even when they were down a goal. The belief that they could come back and win was fueled by Leyba's goal, and James sealed the deal with her own goal shortly after. It was a well-deserved win for the Buffs, and now they will look to continue their success in the next round. But for now, they can bask in the glory of their hard-fought victory over Georgia.
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