Late Strike Lifts Buffs Over Houston

Sunday, September 28

1 p.m.

Colorado

8-1-2, 2-0-1

Houston

6-1-3, 1-1-1

Houston

Colorado

Photo by: Tyler Davis

September 28, 2025 | Soccer

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Hope Leyba gets the winner on Sunday

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER —Colorado used a last-minute goal from Hope Leyba and another clean sheet from goalkeeper Jordan Nytes in the Buffaloes' 1-0 win over Houston on Sunday to secure the six-point weekend at Prentup Field.

Colorado (8-1-2, 2-0-1) finally broke through on its 13th and final shot of the day, with Leyba slotting a left-footed shot from inside the six-yard box to the far post and past UH goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez. Leyba recorded all four goals for the Buffs this weekend, notching her second-career hat trick on Thursday against Iowa State.

"It was a great weekend for her," head coach Danny Sanchez noted. "I think once again, if she's not scoring, she brings so much else—her work ethic, keeping balls alive, her hold up play today was excellent. They were sending two or three players at her every time, and she was patient. Really pleased with what she did this weekend."

Nytes recorded four saves in the shutout, recording her fourth shutout of the season. The win marks her 33rd as a Buff, moving her into a tie with Annie Brunner for third in program history. She also pulled even with Brunner with her 23rd shutout at CU, also good for third all-time.

"I'm super proud of everybody," Nytes said after the win. "That was really just one you fight for to the last second, and we were able to find a goal from who else other than Hope. That was super awesome. It was a great team effort. Our defense really held it together, played with composure, and it was just awesome to see us all fight for that last goal."

Jace Holley led the team with five shots, four of which were on target. Jordan Whiteaker contributed to the offense with an assist, while Faith Leyba also added an assist to the team's performance.

"Houston's a good team," Sanchez added. "They're very dangerous going forward. I thought we dealt with their attacking players well, and I was really pleased about how we played in the second half. I felt it was a matter of time [before the goal]. Sometimes the goals kind of come from half chances, but the way that Jordan [Whiteaker] kept the ball alive and Faith [Leyba] to win it, and Hope does what she does."

How it happened
The first half began with Colorado creating early opportunities, highlighted by Reagan Kotschau's shot on frame in the 9th minute, which Gonzalez saved. Nytes was active in goal for the Buffaloes, making three saves against shots in the half, including two on Ava Shannon in the 12th and 14th minutes to keep the scoresheet even. Holley was particularly active in the offensive third, leading the Buffs with three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes.

Ava Priest and Faith Leyba each had scoring chances in the first half but couldn't capitalize. Priest intercepted a pass from Gonzalez and dribbled in with the UH keeper scrambling into position, but the shot in the 28th minute sailed just high. Leyba from a similar spot on the field narrowly missed the crossbar in the 40th minute.

Houston applied pressure late in the first half, with Nytes making a point-blank save on Krysten Kizer and the Cougars finding the net on the rebound, but the goal was nullified on an offside call.

The second half began with Colorado maintaining pressure on the Houston defense. Holley tested the Houston goalkeeper early with a shot in the 47th minute, followed by attempts from Hope Leyba and Priest. Despite Houston's attempts to counter, the Buffaloes' defense held firm, with Nytes making a save on a Houston free kick in the 74th minute to keep the score level.

"There was definitely more action than the last couple of games," Nytes noted. "I just had to keep myself checked in, keep myself composed and just be that voice for everybody else to stay calm, because I made the saves I had to make, but my defense played really well. I'm proud of them."

The breakthrough for the Buffs came in the 85th minute when Hope Leyba slipped it past Gonzalez. Whiteaker popped the ball to the top of the 18-yard box, and Faith Leyba flicked it in for her sister, who beat two Houston defenders to the ball for the game-winner.

The Buffs have just three more home matches remaining after Sunday's win. Colorado played 10 of its first 11 matches in the state of Colorado, capping it off with the two wins this week.

"It's awesome bringing that momentum [into next week]," Nytes commented. "It's going to be a tough road trip, going to Texas and playing two really good teams on the road. Having two wins under our belt is going to be awesome, keeping us on track in that direction.

Up Next
In their next game, the Buffs will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU on October 2. The match is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Notes
Sunday's win was the 100th at Prentup Field under Coach Sanchez…CU has a .713 winning % at home since Sanchez took over in 2012…The shutout was Nytes 29th of her career, having posted six at Oklahoma State as a freshman…Colorado is now 15-1-1 all-time when Hope Leyba scores…Whiteaker's assist was her fifth of the season, tying Emerson Layne for the team lead…Leyba's goal was the 23rd of her career, moving her into solo 7th in CU history…It as her 13th goal of the season, putting her into 3rd on CU's single-season goal list.

For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.