Zamorano’s Winner Lifts Buffs Past Kansas State

Friday, October 16

Manhattan, Kan.

5:30 p.m.

Colorado

10-4-1, 4-3-0

Kansas State

5-6-4, 0-6-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Colorado	2	1	3
Kansas St.	1	1	2

October 16, 2026 | Soccer

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By: Iseck Hurtado, Athletic Communications Associate

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Sophomore defender Lilian Zamorano scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute as the Colorado Buffaloes soccer team defeated Kansas State 3-2 Friday night at Buser Family Park.

The Buffaloes improved to 10-4-1 overall and 4-3-0 in Big 12 play, opening their three-match road stretch with their first road victory since Sept. 17 at Iowa State. Kansas State dropped to 5-6-4 overall and 0-6-1 in conference action.

After Kansas State tied the match twice, Zamorano put Colorado ahead for good. Both of her career goals have been game-winners, with her first coming against Colorado State in the season opener.

"I think we created a lot of chances and scored some really good goals," Head Coach Danny Sanchez said. "But we responded well, and we managed the game at the end well."

Senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau contributed a goal and an assist, reaching a career-best of eight goals on the season and moving within one assist of Colorado's single-season record of 10. Her fourth successful penalty kick of the season also tied Taylor Kornieck's program record set in 2019.

Freshman goalkeeper Brooke Goerish matched her career high with eight saves, including six in the second half. Her ninth victory moved her into second all-time among Colorado freshman goalkeepers, passing Annie Brunner's eight wins in 2010.

"But credit K-State," Sanchez added. "I mean, they could have packed it in, and it was a fight to the last second."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Kansas State appeared to strike first in the opening minutes, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Goerish. A review upheld the call, keeping the match scoreless.

Michaela McGowan tested Kansas State goalkeeper Maddie Sibbing in the eighth minute, while Goerish made saves in the 11th and 16th minutes. Kansas State continued to press, but Colorado's backline stood firm, blocking two shots in quick succession to keep the Wildcats off the board.

McGowan's pressure helped produce the corner that led to Colorado's first goal. Kotschau delivered the ball toward the near post, where Emma Thielbahr ran in from the penalty spot and headed it across goal into the opposite corner. The senior defender's third goal of the season put CU ahead 1-0 in the 18th minute.

The Wildcats were undeterred, responding 95 seconds later. Gabby DeMers arrived from the right side to meet Chloe Dillbeck's cross, finishing with her right foot off the ball's first bounce to level the score 1-1.

A foul on Hope Leyba inside the penalty area initially went uncalled, but Sanchez requested a review that resulted in a penalty kick for Colorado. Following the review and an extended wait, Kotschau converted 21 minutes into the match to restore the Buffs' lead at 2-1. The three goals came within a span of 2:37 on the game clock.

Colorado carried that lead into halftime despite Kansas State's 8-7 edge in shots. Both teams put three attempts on target, while the Buffs held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.

"K-State's not going anywhere," Sanchez said at halftime. "When we win the ball, we have to be just a little bit more proactive and have a better idea going forward."

K-State pulled even again just 1:44 into the second half. DeMers capitalized on a Colorado turnover and forced a save from Goerish, then recovered the rebound near the right end line. She sent the ball back across the middle for Allison Marshall, whose right-footed finish into the lower left corner tied the match in the 46th minute.

Zamorano delivered Colorado's answer at 59:59. Sloane Phillips lofted the ball from midfield into the box, where Zamorano cut in from the left to meet it near the edge of the six-yard box. She guided the ball out of the air with her right foot and into the right side of the net, beyond the diving goalkeeper's reach, giving the Buffs a 3-2 lead they would hold for the remainder of the match.

Goerish was called into action just 18 seconds later, turning away a shot from McKinnan Braswell.

She delivered another crucial stop in the 63rd minute. Kansas State's Rilyn Rintoul broke behind the Buffs' backline on the left side with a clear path to goal, but Goerish charged off her line toward the penalty spot and sprawled to deny the one-on-one opportunity, preserving Colorado's advantage.

Goerish stopped all five Kansas State shots on target after Zamorano's winner. She denied Braswell and Rintoul again later in the half before making her final save against Langley Mayers with 30 seconds remaining.

Kansas State finished with an 18-13 advantage in shots and a 10-5 edge in shots on goal. Colorado led 3-2 in corner kicks, while McGowan paced the Buffs with three shots.

UP NEXT: Colorado continues its road stretch at Arizona on Thursday, Oct. 22, in Tucson. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. MT, with the match streaming on ESPN+. Tickets for Colorado's return to Prentup Field against Cincinnati on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. MT are available here.

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