University of Colorado players Jace Holley and Emerson Layne celebrate after Holley scored a goal against Denver University at CIBER Field on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Jake Chau/CU Independent)
From the University of Denver’s CIBER Field on a warm September night, the Buffs battled the Denver Pioneers, taking home a 2-0 win on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Wisconsin, Colorado put their foot on the gas early.
Getting the momentum going early, Emerson Layne took a low shot from 12 yards out while two Pioneer defenders closed in on her. The ball was deflected to a wide-open Jace Holley, who pounced on the opportunity, putting it in the back of the net for her eighth goal of the season just four minutes into the match.
The Buffs’ next opportunity came in the eighth minute on a corner kick from Regan Kotschau. Another Pioneer deflection away from the box landed at the foot of Vivi Zacarias 18 yards from the net. A quick two touches to settle the ball were followed by a strong left-footed shot past the diving Denver goalkeeper for her first goal of the season.
The Buffs dominated the midfield, controlling the pace of play while sitting on a two-goal lead.
A call for a Colorado handball in the box was reviewed and overturned, stomping out any opportunity for a Pioneer penalty kick.
From there, the Buffs’ defense was able to stop any traction that Denver attempted to gain. Goalkeeper Jordan Nytes only had to make one save in the first half, while on offense the Buffs challenged Denver goalkeeper Alina Santos with eight shots, three on goal, holding the 2-0 lead at half.
University of Colorado Boulder forward Hope Leyba contests a header during the soccer game at Denver University on September 11, 2025. (Tomas Bernal/CU Independent)
The second half told much of the same story – the Buffs controlling the midfield with limited outside runs from the Pioneers.
Denver recorded just two shots in the second half, none of which were on frame.
“We changed our tactics a little bit towards the end of the first half, and in the second half, it was just a professional approach to the match,” Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez said.
While the Buffs couldn’t add another to their tally, they generated plenty of chances. Santos was called on four times to make the stop, facing 12 shots in the second half.
The best opportunity came in the 67th minute as a crossing corner kick was punched out to Greer Maguire who lofted the ball to Zacarias. As Santos came out of her net to play the ball, Zacarias put a head on it before Santos could get to it, but couldn’t get it to settle on the pitch, going high over the crossbar.
“We managed the game well and probably got unlucky not to get a third [goal] and really keep Denver at bay,” Sanchez added.
The 2-0 score held for the Buffs into the second horn, marking the 14th straight victory over their rival Pioneers since 2013, while Nytes picked up her second clean sheet of the year.
“I think it was more of a statement, not even to the people watching, but more to us,” Zacarias said. “We couldn’t get those goals in Wisconsin.”
Zacarias credited her team’s strength on the attack, noting that the two goals in the first 10 minutes were just the beginning.
“I think it gave us more confidence to keep going and keep pushing and not give up after the first 10, and after those goals we didn’t turn [it] off,” Zacarius said.
As Colorado begins Big 12 play next week, this game added some much needed momentum.
“We wanted momentum going into Big 12 play and to beat our local rival at their place, in front of a great crowd,” Sanchez said. “It gives us a lot of confidence, and now it’s all about Kansas State next Thursday.”
Colorado will host Kansas State University at Prentup Field on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. MDT to start Big 12 play.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jake Chau at jake.chau@colorado.edu
