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Matches Thread- SOCCER continues conference play hosting ISU (Thursday, 9/25/25, 7:00 PM MT) & Houston (Sunday, 1:00 PM MT)

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SOCCER (6-1-2 overall; 0-0-1 in the Big 12) looks to earn some 3 point matches as they continue their homestand to start conference play as they host a couple more GOOD squads this week. 1st off is a Thursday evening match against the Iowa State Cyclones (ISU; 4-1-2; 1-0-0), followed up by a Sunday afternoon match against the Houston Cougars (6-0-1; 1-0-0).

Not that it means much of anything for this season, but in the final RPI ratings for last (2024) season (dated 12/9/24, https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-women/d1/ncaa-womens-soccer-rpi ), CU ended up at #50, while NMSU was #81 and the UW #212.

As was true both last season and so far this season, streams should be available for all home matches and road conference matches for those with a premium ($) ESPN+ subscription. (See more details and links near the bottom of this post.)

Go Buffs!!!

(Cubuffs.com preview not available as I type this.)
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Links with more info on the opponents -

ISU :
Roster - https://cyclones.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster
Stats - https://cyclones.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2025
Schedule/ results - https://cyclones.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
Their preview article for the match with the Buffs - Not available as I type this.

Houston :
Roster - https://uhcougars.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster
Stats - https://uhcougars.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2025
Schedule/ results - https://uhcougars.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
Their preview article for the match with the Buffs - Not available as I type this.

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Media links:

Link to links to Live stats for both matches - https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=colo . Direct links for the matches:
ISU - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=594038
Houston - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=594045

Live Video: Both matches are scheduled to be provided through the premium ($) ESPN+ subscription service, available either on the ESPN app or at:
ISU - https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/72cbaacc-2dca-446a-9f03-e788b60f9757
Houston - https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/e1b36f5e-2c2c-4b47-a354-196d5d017831

Match notes (If blank below, they weren't available as I type this.) :
ISU -
Houston -
 



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As I've stated in previous threads, starting around last week, figured I'd start noting a couple other ratings (in addition to RPI that I've noted for years) that are publically available.
(From what I read in the Volleytalk forum, RPI AND KPI (Kevin Pauga Index) are the only 2 ratings that the NCAA selection committees use for tourney selection in that sport. (The AI in a Google search says the soccer committee DOES also use KPI.) Then, the Massey rankings, which are the only other free ratings I know of, are considered more accurate (then at least RPI) in evaluating a team's quality as they factor in things like scores and home vs. away results, which RPI doesn't. Note that with soccer being farther along in its season, we do now have RPI ratings for this season, so all the below are for the current season.)
RPI (For matches played through 9/18/25; https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-women/d1/ncaa-womens-soccer-rpi ) - CU is at #40 while ISU is #88 and Houston is #105.
KPI (https://faktorsports.com/. Note that to get these numbers I had to select various options to obtain these numbers.) - CU is at #45 while ISU is #57 and Houston is #98.
Massey ((from https://masseyratings.com/csocw/ncaa-d1/ratings) - CU is at #29 while ISU is #59 and Houston is #86.
 
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I've been out visiting family, so hadn't posted about this match before.

It's looking good so far, as the Buffs took a 2-0 lead into the half on a H. Leyba brace. (Assist on the 1st goal to Priest, while Hayward was credited with 1 on the 2nd.)

The 2nd half has just begun.
 
CU is now up 3-0, with H. Leyba earning the hat trick in the 53rd minute. (Assists to Swierenga and Maguire.)

The match is currently in its 78th minute.
 
Media after tonight's win:

Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/25/soccer-leyba-buffs-calm-cyclones

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1758860744318.png

Leyba, Buffs Calm Cyclones​

The junior forward recorded her second hat trick of the season

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER, Colo. — Hope Leyba accounted for all three goals Thursday night for Colorado, as the Buffaloes defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 3-1 in front of 1,229 fans at Prentup Field.

Colorado (7-1-2, 1-0-1) struck early with two first-half goals and secured the win with Leyba's third of the night in the early half goings of the second half. Iowa State managed one goal in the latter period, but the Buffs' defense limited their chances.

Leyba's hat trick was her second of the season and her fourth multi-goal game this season. The junior from Phoenix, Ariz., joined Nikki Marshall as the only Buff to record multiple hat tricks in a career, and became the first CU striker to have a pair of hat tricks in the same season.

Leyba finished the night scoring on three of her four shots. Jordan Nytes continued to play a crucial role in net, recording three saves while allowing one goal in 90 minutes to secure the win.

The first half began with Colorado establishing early momentum, highlighted by Leyba's goal in the 16th minute, assisted by Ava Priest, putting the team ahead 1-0. The Buffs maintained offensive pressure, with goalkeeper Jordan Nytes making three saves in the half to keep Iowa State off the scoreboard.

Leyba's second of the night came on an effort play, poking the ball past ISU keeper Kasey Cannistraro to further increase the lead in the 36th minute, assisted by Ruby Hayward.

The second half began with Colorado maintaining its dominance from the first half. Leyba extended the lead to 3-0 with a goal in the 52nd minute, assisted by Caley Swierenga and Greer Maguire. It was her 12th goal of the season and 22nd of her career.

The Buffaloes continued to apply pressure, generating multiple shots on goal, but Cannistraro, made several saves to limit further scoring.

Iowa State responded in the 82nd minute with a goal by Morgan Goodman, narrowing the deficit to 3-1.

Looking ahead, the Buffs will take the field at Prentup Field to host Houston on Sunday, Sept. 28. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. as Colorado seeks to capitalize on their home advantage.
...
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Box score - https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2025/iowa-state/boxscore/17503




 
Coming off a 0-0 draw in the conference opener last week the Buffs really needed a win v Iowa State. With three matches at home to start conference play getting maximum points is going to be key in finishing high in the standings. After this homestand they are on the road five times and at home for only three games. Those road games include TCU, Baylor, BYU, Utah and Kansas. Thus getting a 3-1 win with the outcome essentially determined when Hope Leyba scored for the third time in the 53’ was significant.

Iowa State defeated Arizona at home in their conference opener and showed they were willing to go at the Buffs. They played some good combinations in the attacking half to spring into dangerous positions. CU was frequently able to shut these down at the last moment. Key to this was the tenacity and recovery speed of central defender Faith Leyba. Multiple times it appeared the Cyclones were going to get a quality shot only to see Leyba sprint back and break up the attack.

Faith’s twin sister, Hope, did her part on the opposite end of the pitch recording her second hat trick of the season - becoming the first player in program history with more than one in a season. She was again very efficient as she took three shots total and got a significant amount of rest in the second half. For the season she has 12 goals in 10 games.

While the Cyclones were showing some creativity in their attack the Buffs were the side able to take advantage of their chances. Hope’s first goal came in the 17’ when CU had reworked a corner to about 20 yards out where Ava Priest hit a cross into the box finding Hope’s head for a precise finish.

Hope’s second goal was a testament to her tenacity. Substitute Ruby Hayward slid a through ball towards Hope who out-foxed a defender to get a foot to the ball and roll it into the goal past the onrushing keeper.

Head coach Danny Sanchez made a few changes to the lineup to begin the second half with Lilan Zamorano in at left back and Mallory Allen and Leexi Meyer in midfield. The Buffs with a two goal lead held a lot of possession which made it difficult for I-State to generate an attack. When Hope scored for the third time - one timing a crossed ball from Caley Swerienga - the match was effectively over. The Cyclones were deflated and the Buffs continued to hold a fair amount of possession.

Morgan Goodman scored a consolation goal for the Cyclones in the 82’ when she hit a free kick from just outside the box that cleared the wall. It appeared that Jordan Nytes didn’t see the ball and wasn’t close to getting to it.

Highlights

CU hosts Houston at 1pm Sunday. The Cougars are coming off a 1-1 draw at Texas Tech. They won their opening conference match 3-1 at home to Cincinnati.

The only team with a perfect record so far in Big XII play is TCU at 2-0, which means the Buffs are in second place - with a number of other teams.
 
YESS!!!

The Buffs scored in the 86th minute to earn the 1-0 win.

The winner came as a Priest long throw in bounced around a little bit until it found F. Leyba near the top of the box and she was able to find her sister on the left side and she was able to beat a defender and get it by the goalie.

Way to go Buffs!!!
 
nice win. very tough game and physical. It is nice having the Leyba twins. It felt like a 0-0 game and then Hope did Hope things and a goal was scored. Houston is a pretty good team. I think the wore down with heat and altitude but a good team. Ref had a rough day. Missed a few out of bounds plays and really let the girls be physical. Its kind of funny, I was watching couple matches played in Utah this weekend and the refs call much more of they physical stuff. This crew let them play today.
 
Media after today's win:

Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/28/soccer-late-strike-lifts-buffs-over-houston

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1759106399554.png

Late Strike Lifts Buffs Over Houston​

Hope Leyba gets the winner on Sunday

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER —Colorado used a last-minute goal from Hope Leyba and another clean sheet from goalkeeper Jordan Nytes in the Buffaloes' 1-0 win over Houston on Sunday to secure the six-point weekend at Prentup Field.

Colorado (8-1-2, 2-0-1) finally broke through on its 13th and final shot of the day, with Leyba slotting a left-footed shot from inside the six-yard box to the far post and past UH goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez. Leyba recorded all four goals for the Buffs this weekend, notching her second-career hat trick on Thursday against Iowa State.

"It was a great weekend for her," head coach Danny Sanchez noted. "I think once again, if she's not scoring, she brings so much else—her work ethic, keeping balls alive, her hold up play today was excellent. They were sending two or three players at her every time, and she was patient. Really pleased with what she did this weekend."

Nytes recorded four saves in the shutout, recording her fourth shutout of the season. The win marks her 33rd as a Buff, moving her into a tie with Annie Brunner for third in program history. She also pulled even with Brunner with her 23rd shutout at CU, also good for third all-time.

"I'm super proud of everybody," Nytes said after the win. "That was really just one you fight for to the last second, and we were able to find a goal from who else other than Hope. That was super awesome. It was a great team effort. Our defense really held it together, played with composure, and it was just awesome to see us all fight for that last goal."

Jace Holley led the team with five shots, four of which were on target. Jordan Whiteaker contributed to the offense with an assist, while Faith Leyba also added an assist to the team's performance.

"Houston's a good team," Sanchez added. "They're very dangerous going forward. I thought we dealt with their attacking players well, and I was really pleased about how we played in the second half. I felt it was a matter of time [before the goal]. Sometimes the goals kind of come from half chances, but the way that Jordan [Whiteaker] kept the ball alive and Faith [Leyba] to win it, and Hope does what she does."
...

Up Next
In their next game, the Buffs will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on October 2. The match is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Notes
Sunday's win was the 100th at Prentup Field under Coach Sanchez…CU has a .713 winning % at home since Sanchez took over in 2012…The shutout was Nytes 29th of her career, having posted six at Oklahoma State as a freshman…Colorado is now 15-1-1 all-time when Hope Leyba scores…Whiteaker's assist was her fifth of the season, tying Emerson Layne for the team lead…Leyba's goal was the 23rd of her career, moving her into solo 7th in CU history…It as her 13th goal of the season, putting her into 3rd on CU's single-season goal list.
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Box score - https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2025/houston/boxscore/17504




 
Going into the 80’ this match looked likely to end in a scoreless draw. CU was creating chances, but couldn’t finish them off. Houston, who started the match strong, was fading. Their attack was not what it was in the first half. Perhaps the altitude was getting to them.

Houston committed 13 fouls in the match and paid the price when Jordan Whiteaker hit a long free kick into the box in the 86’. Faith Leyba got head on it and nudged it toward Hope who buried the ball far post with her left foot. Hope has developed into a very, very reliable goal scorer this season. She gets into dangerous positions and when the chance comes she’s very likely to finish.

1-0 Buffs and CU held on to get their second conference win - they are now 2-0-1 in Big XII play.

Houston is a solid team but just couldn’t break down CU’s defense enough to seriously challenge Jordan Nytes. In the second half the Buffs managed the game well by holding possession and not committing silly turnovers. A positive trend over the last five matches is that they’ve conceded only two goals while scoring six.

Soccer: Colorado vs Houston Highlights - Sept. 28, 2025

CU will find out just how good or not they are this weekend with matches at TCU and Baylor. Last season TCU came to Boulder and won 6-1 then beat the Buffs in the conference tourney 3-1. In both matches CU scored first and very early only to get steamrolled the rest of the way.

CU’s current RPI is #26, TCU #5 and Baylor #9.
 
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