Thursday was the Buffs’ first Big 12 game since the 2010 season.
Colorado (7-1-0, 1-0-0) broke the scoreless tie early in the second half with a goal from Jace Holley. Acting Big 12 Goalie of the Week, Jordan Nytesextended her shutout streak to five games, tying the CU program record, and made five saves in the win.
“I think we had some really good chances in the first half,” said head coach Daniel Sanchez said after the win. “Kudos to their goalie right from the start who did a great job of keeping Hope out. We hit the crossbar a couple of times and didn’t get the goal we needed. Coming out at halftime was great. It was a great ball from Claire (Curran), with some extra composure and a good finish from Jace. I think we had the game under control after that. Any win away from home, especially in the Big 12, is huge. We’re happy with the win and excited for next weekend.”
The Buffs had more chances than Kansas State (23:20) and had 13 shots on goal. Emerson Layne, Hope Leyba And Shyra James with four shots each in the lead.
“We haven’t had many away games,” explained Sanchez. “We need to be more battle-hardened. I thought this was a good test for us, but there are bigger tests ahead.”
Kansas State falls to 3-4-1 and 0-1-0 in the Big 12.
How it happened
Colorado had its chances in the first half, taking 13 shots on goal and hitting the crossbar right at the start.
Nytes did a big thing for the Buffs in the 25th minute, making two of her three saves in the first half, blocking a point-blank shot with a kick and then catching the rebound.
Claire Curran And Jace Holley were brought into the lineup at the start of the second half and the substitutions paid off immediately. The duo combined to score the decisive goal in the 49th minute, four minutes into the first half.
“We have a lot of players fighting for starting spots and opportunities,” added Sanchez. “I thought they both played really well, but I was generally happy with everyone who came off the bench. I thought everyone who came off the bench gave us a good boost today. We’re going to need everyone to progress.”
H. Leyba almost extended the lead in the 62nd minute when he hit the ball at the far post. Nytes saved two more shots in a row in the 76th minute to keep the score at 0.
“All credit to K-State,” Sanchez continued. “They came out with a lot of energy today. Aside from the really big chance they had in the first half, I think Jordy managed the game well and we defended well. Again, we should have been a little more efficient in the final third, especially early in the game. In the last 20 minutes we just decided the game, but it was a good away win for us.”
Notes
Nytes has now held her opponents without conceding a goal for 519:52 consecutive minutes, the second-longest streak in CU history… It was her 14th career shutout at CU and her 20th overall… The win was Nytes’ 20th as a Buff, which puts her in a tie with Kara Linder for 7th all-time… CU improves to 70-66-14 in the Big 12… Curran is the 13th different Buff to score a point this season… Holley’s goal was her second of the season, both of which were game-winning.
