Leyba Leads Buffs to Victory: How Colorado Athletes Defeated the Cyclones

Buffaloes Shine in Victory Over Cyclones

In a thrilling match on Thursday night, Colorado’s Hope Leyba scored all three goals in a 3-1 win against Iowa State. The game took place at Prentup Field, drawing 1,229 excited fans.

Colorado (7-1-2, 1-0-1) took control early, scoring twice in the first half and cementing their lead with Leyba’s third goal shortly into the second half. Despite a late goal from Iowa State, Colorado’s defense held strong.

Leyba’s hat trick marks her second this season and her fourth game with multiple goals. She has now joined Nikki Marshall as the only Buffalo to score multiple hat tricks in their career. This also makes her the first CU player to do it twice in a single season. Leyba capitalized on three of her four shots during the match.

Goalkeeper Jordan Nytes played a crucial role, making three saves while allowing one goal throughout the game.

The first half kicked off with a bang as Leyba netted her first goal in the 16th minute, assisted by Ava Priest. Colorado maintained steady pressure, with Nytes blocking shots to keep Iowa State off the board. Leyba struck again at the 36-minute mark, pushing the lead further with help from Ruby Hayward.

In the second half, Leyba continued to shine. She scored her third goal in the 52nd minute, with assists from Caley Swierenga and Greer Maguire. This brought her season total to 12 goals.

Even with multiple attempts to extend their lead, Colorado faced a tough Iowa State defense, particularly goalkeeper Kasey Cannistraro, who made several key saves. Iowa State managed to find the back of the net in the 82nd minute with a goal from Morgan Goodman but couldn’t draw closer.

As the Buffaloes prepare for their next game against Houston on Sunday, Sept. 28, they will look to maintain their home advantage at Prentup Field.

For more updates on Colorado Soccer, head to cubuffs.com/soccer. Follow their journey on social media @cubuffssoccer across platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.

Additional Insights

The performance by Leyba is particularly notable in the context of women’s sports, where individual excellence often shines in team games. According to a recent study by The Women’s Sports Foundation, women’s soccer viewership has surged in the past decade, with ratings for major tournaments like the Women’s World Cup increasing by over 200%. This indicates a growing interest and recognition of female athletes, highlighting their skills and contributions to the sport.

Leyba’s success can serve as inspiration for many young athletes aspiring to excel in sports, showcasing that hard work and dedication can lead to remarkable achievements. As women’s soccer continues to grow, Leyba and her teammates are at the forefront, embodying the future of the sport.

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