Thursday, October 8
Boulder, Colo.
7 p.m.
Colorado
vs
Baylor
No. 24 Buffs Return Home To Host No. 7 Baylor
October 06, 2026 | Soccer
Colorado Puts Its Perfect Prentup Record On The Line Against A Top-10 Opponent
BOULDER – No. 24 Colorado returns to Prentup Field for the first time in two weeks on Thursday, Oct. 8, welcoming No. 7 Baylor for a top-25 Big 12 matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
The Buffaloes (8-3-1, 2-2-0 Big 12) return home following a two-match road swing at Texas Tech and UCF. Colorado closed the trip with a 2-0 loss in Orlando on Friday, with freshman goalkeeper Brooke Goerish making a career-high eight saves.
Colorado has shown stretches of strong play over the past two matches, but head coach Danny Sanchez said the Buffs will need a more complete performance against one of the Big 12's top teams.
"I think with the last couple matches we've played well in spurts," Sanchez said. "I think we have to put 90 minutes together. As simple as that sounds, it's not always that simple. I think we have to be more efficient going forward, and we have to really limit their opportunities and their dangerous players."
Thursday brings the Buffs back to a place where they have yet to lose this season. Colorado is a perfect 7-0 at Prentup, outscoring opponents 24-3. CU has shut out each of its last four home opponents, New Mexico, Utah State, Denver and West Virginia, by a combined 13-0.
The Buffaloes have won 13 consecutive matches at Prentup, matching the program record set in 2004. A win Thursday would establish a new program mark with 14 straight home victories. Colorado is also unbeaten in its last 22 matches at Prentup.
CU's seven shutouts through 12 matches already match its total from the entire 24-match 2025 season.
CU's seven shutouts through 12 matches already match its total from the entire 24-match 2025 season.
Offensively, Reagan Kotschau and Hope Leyba continue to lead a Colorado attack that has produced 28 goals this season. Kotschau has seven goals and a team-high six assists for 20 points, while Hope has seven goals and three assists. Michaela McGowan has added five goals in her first season with the Buffs.
Hope also remains on the doorstep of moving up Colorado's career record book. The senior enters Thursday with 39 career goals, tied with Taylor Kornieck for third in program history. Her next goal would give her sole possession of third place.
BEARS AT PRENTUP
Baylor (10-1-1, 3-0-1 Big 12) arrives in Boulder tied with Texas Tech and BYU atop the Big 12 standings with 10 points. The Bears have won three straight conference matches and are unbeaten in their last nine overall, going 8-0-1 since their lone loss of the season on Aug. 23.
The matchup pairs Colorado's perfect home record with a Bears squad that has yet to lose away from Waco. BU is 4-0-1 on the road this season, including wins at Arkansas, Texas, LSU and Oral Roberts and a 1-1 draw at West Virginia.
"I think they've had a great season so far," Sanchez added. "They're very well coached. They don't give up a lot. Obviously, they have a fantastic goalkeeper. Their back four is very good, and they're very diverse going forward. A lot of different weapons and a lot of different players step up and score goals. So we're going to have to play well on Thursday to get a result."
That diversity has been on display throughout the Baylor attack. The Bears have scored 25 goals with eight different players finding the back of the net.
Aryanna Jimison leads the group with six goals and 15 points after scoring twice in Baylor's 3-1 win over Kansas on Friday. Lauren Omholt follows with five goals, while Grace White has four and Noelle Sather has three. Theresa McCullough and Olivia Hess have helped facilitate the attack with seven assists apiece.
Baylor has also been steady defensively, allowing 12 goals through 12 matches. Fifth-year goalkeeper Azul Alvarez has played all 1,080 minutes in goal and was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List last week.
Alvarez is one of three Hermann Trophy candidates who could take the field Thursday. Buffalo seniors Hope and Faith Leyba were also named to the 30-player midseason list, making CU the only Big 12 program with two selections.
Colorado and Baylor have played one of the more even series in program history. The all-time matchup is tied 7-7-4, although the Buffs hold a 5-1-2 advantage against the Bears in Boulder.
Baylor took last season's meeting 2-1 in Waco. The teams last met at Prentup in 2024, playing to a 1-1 draw.
Thursday begins a two-match homestand for Colorado and gives the Buffs an opportunity to make up ground in a crowded Big 12 table. CU enters the week with six conference points, tied with Arizona State and TCU.
Fans will also get another opportunity to see Ralphie lead the Buffaloes onto the pitch on Thursday, weather permitting. Tickets for the battle with the Bears are available here.
UP NEXT: Colorado remains at Prentup Field to host Kansas on Sunday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT.
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.
Players Mentioned
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