Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Texas Tech
Buffs Ready for Bounce Back
October 09, 2024 | Soccer
Colorado takes on No. 24 Texas Tech on Thursday
LUBBOCK, Texas — Colorado women's soccer hits the road to start this week's action, taking on No. 24 Texas Tech on Thursday (6 p.m. MT).
Colorado (10-2-1, 4-1-1 Big 12) will look to bounce back from its uncharacteristic loss to then-No. 23 TCU last Saturday. The Buffaloes, who had been ranked in the previous six United Soccer Coaches polls, dropped out of the rankings following the loss to the Horned Frogs.
The Buffs returned to training on Monday, ready to put last weekend behind them and look forward to the final five matches of the regular season.
"It was good to have Sunday off," head coach Danny Sanchez explained. "We got a couple of really good days of training on Monday and Tuesday, and we look forward to getting out to Lubbock and getting ready for the match on Thursday."
The Red Raiders moved up to No. 24 this week and sit tied atop the Big 12 with a 5-0-1 conference record. Texas Tech is on a nine-game unbeaten streak, having not dropped a result since a 2-0 defeat at Utah State on Aug. 25. TTU is outscoring opponents 23-2 in their current streak.
Thursday will be CU's fourth match against a ranked opponent this season. The Buffs are 1-2 this season, with the lone winning coming on the road at then-No. 12 Oklahoma State.
"There's so many good teams in this league," Sanchez added. " Texas Tech is undefeated in conference [play] and in first place. I don't know that you need much more motivation than that—going to play at their place will be a difficult match and a challenge for us. I'm looking forward to see how we respond after Saturday."
Individually, the Buffs had four players land on Top Drawer Soccer's Mid-Season Top 100 on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Jordan Nytes led the way at No. 23, a 19-spot improvement from her preseason spot at 42. Sophomore Ava Priest (69) was the Buffs' top field player in the rankings. Fifth-year senior Shyra James landed at No. 74 despite missing five matches this season due to injury. Senior Phoenix Dawn Miranda rounded out the group at No. 82.
