Thrilling Victory: No. 21 Buffs Defeat Utes 2-1 in an Action-Packed Battle – University of Colorado Athletics

Colorado triumphed over Utah 2-1 in the Rocky Mountain Rumble at Ute Field. The Buffaloes managed to maintain control, even as Utah attempted a late comeback in the final minutes.

With this victory, Colorado now shares the top spot in the Big 12 standings, sitting at 5-1-1 in league play and 11-2-2 overall. Head coach Danny Sanchez commented on the game, saying, “We weren’t always sharp, but we played some nice soccer when it counted. It’s a sign of a strong team when you can still win, even if you’re not at your best.”

Jordan Nytes, honored as the Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week, made six crucial saves, particularly in a busy second half.

The scoring started early. Jace Holley netted the first goal in the 8th minute, and Lexi Meyer sealed the win with her first career goal, thanks to a pass from Emerson Layne, who recorded her first-ever multi-assist game.

Utah outshot Colorado 22-10, with 17 of those shots coming in the second half. Despite their efforts, the Buffaloes held their ground. Sanchez acknowledged, “We needed to focus. Utah came out strong in the second half, and that second goal was key for us.”

In the first half, Colorado set the pace quickly. Holley capitalized on a pass from Layne, scoring right from the top of the six-yard box. Hope Leyba nearly added another with a shot hitting the woodwork just before the break.

The second half saw increased pressure from both sides. Colorado tried to extend their lead, but Utah’s goalkeeper stood firm. Nytes made a crucial save in the 46th minute, denying a close-range shot from Kelly Bullock.

The game’s turning point came in the 68th minute when Meyer scored, making it 2-0. Nytes again showcased her skill, making key saves right after that. However, Utah answered back with a goal shortly after, narrowing the margin. Despite this, Nytes secured Colorado’s lead until the final whistle.

Next, Colorado will travel to Provo to face BYU on October 20.

This victory marked Nytes’ 36th win with the Buffaloes, bringing her just one shy of the second spot on Colorado’s all-time wins list. Holley continues to impress, now with 26 points this season, making her one of the top-scoring sophomores in CU history.

For further details on Colorado soccer, you can check out cubuffs.com/soccer and follow them on social media for updates.

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