The Colorado Buffaloes women’s soccer team secured a place in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament following a commanding 3-0 victory over Xavier on March 3, 2024. This marks the Buffs’ third appearance in the Sweet 16, and their first since 2013. The win was highlighted by a spectacular long-range goal from junior forward Hope Leyba, which capped off a strong performance in the second round of the tournament.
As the match approached its final moments, Leyba struck a remarkable approximately 40-yard shot that soared into the net, sealing the victory and providing a thunderous exclamation point. Coach Danny Sanchez, who has led the team to two of its three Sweet 16 berths, expressed his admiration for Leyba’s goal, saying, “What a classy goal from Hope. It really took the heat and the pressure off us.” With this goal, the Buffs solidified their 2-0 lead in the 87th minute.
The upcoming challenge for the third-seeded Buffs will be against the second-seeded Michigan State Spartans, hosted at DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing. The teams previously met earlier in the season, playing to a 1-1 draw in Boulder on August 14. Leyba opened the scoring in that match, which set the stage for her record-setting season that includes a team-high of 22 goals.
In the NCAA Tournament, the Buffs have struggled in true road games, holding a 2-10 record historically. Notably, one of their recent victories came during the first round of last year’s tournament at Georgia, where Leyba contributed significantly alongside other key players. The team hopes to build on their momentum as they strive for their first Elite Eight appearance.
Sanchez emphasized the importance of the moment for the senior players, stating, “Myself and the rest of the staff, we’re going to have other opportunities. But for our seniors, they’re not going to have another opportunity. This is a tremendous testament to them and their commitment to the program.”
The Buffs will face a formidable opponent in Michigan State, who are well-prepared and have earned their ranking as a second seed. Sanchez acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, “At this point, there’s not a lot of secrets. We’ll be ready on Sunday.”
The match is set for 11:00 AM MT on Sunday, March 5, and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The teams’ records stand at Colorado 17-3-3 and Michigan State 14-3-6, making for an exciting matchup in the tournament.
Key players for Colorado include Leyba, along with sophomore forward Jace Holley, who has scored 12 goals and provided six assists, and senior goalkeeper Jordan Nytes, who has become the Buffs’ all-time leader in saves during NCAA Tournament games with 35. For Michigan State, junior forward Kennedy Bell leads with 11 goals and six assists.
As both teams prepare for this highly anticipated clash, the stakes are high, with the potential for advancement in the tournament and a shot at the coveted Elite Eight. The Buffs are eager to make their mark and savor every moment of this significant opportunity.
