Buffs Ramping up to the Season

BOULDER—Colorado soccer took its first steps on the newly installed pitch at Prentup Field as the team returned to training on Wednesday. The Buffaloes got the second week of the preseason underway, returning from their annual weekend retreat in Steamboat Springs.

"It's been a very productive preseason so far," head coach Danny Sanchez noted. "Last week we were out in Folsom and then up to Steamboat. I thought we got a lot accomplished on and off the field but nothing is better than getting back to Prentup. Obviously, there is still some work to be done [around the field] but there is a lot of excitement. The pitch is absolutely perfect. Jose and Alex and all the grounds crew have done an excellent job of getting it to this point."

Colorado hasn't been on the pitch at Prentup since the end of the 2022 season. Since then the team has overhauled its personnel, meaning only 14 of the team's 28 players get to experience the before and after.

"It's super exciting," senior Lawson Willis exclaimed. "I'm so glad to be back out here. We waited a lot of time for this and it's just getting me more excited to play our first game. The field is super nice. It's great. Folsom was great [last week] but you can just zing the ball in here. It's just different and I love it."

While the quality of the pitch, upgraded sidelines and the addition of lights are cause for excitement, the Buffs are also working to improve the product on the pitch.

"We've done really well with our fitness," Sanchez added. "I think [strength and conditioning coach] Skylar [Rubalcaba] did a great job preparing in the summer and the players worked hard. Everybody has put themselves in a good position. The new players have acclimated themselves. Out there today and you couldn't tell who was the fifth-year senior and who was the freshman that has been here a week."

Coach Sanchez and his staff have plenty of decisions to make leading up to the season opener against Northern Colorado (Aug. 17, 7 p.m. MT). But with eight days until the opener things are beginning to take shape.

"There are some players that are starting to separate themselves and we're excited to see how their development progresses over the next week and more importantly over the next 13 weeks," Sanchez noted.

The Buffs will have a chance to impress the coaches and fans during the annual Silver & Gold match this Saturday (Noon). The team will split into two squads and go head-to-head at Prentup Field. The match is open to the public and fans planning to attend are encouraged to bring seating. The regular bleachers will not be pulled out.

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