The University of Colorado Boulder women’s soccer team celebrates in front of the crowd after winning 3-0 against the University of New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Prentup Field. (Eli Walters/CU Independent
Colorado soccer (4-1-1, 0-0 Big 12) faced off against the University of New Mexico (2-2, 0-0 Mountain West) on Thursday, back at Prentup Field after a two-game road series in Michigan. Coming off a draw against Western Michigan and a close loss to Michigan State, the Buffaloes responded with a powerful 3-0 shutout win.
Before kickoff, CU’s latest Ralphie Buffalo, “Brandy,” made a special pregame appearance by sprinting across the field.
“Watching her energy and how fast they were running really brought us together as a team,” forward Michaela McGowan said. “[It] was super exciting, and the fans were excited.”
The University of Colorado Boulder’s women’s soccer team huddles together before the game against the University of New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Prentup Field. (Eli Walters/CU Independent)
The Buffs came out strong with forward Ruby Hayward scoring seven minutes into the game, assisted by Hope Leyba and Caley Swierenga. Colorado took this momentum and ran with it, persisting in applying pressure. Constant attacks into New Mexico’s zone turned into continuous corner kicks, and Colorado never stepped off the gas.
The Buffs tallied 12 shots in the first half compared to New Mexico’s two.
Less than seven minutes later, Emma Thielbahr scored off a rebound off the crossbar by Leyba. Leyba notched her second assist of the game, tying a single-game career high, bringing CU up 2-0.
Colorado continued with the aggression and pressure on New Mexico, mainly led by McGowan with her explosive and quick touches. She led many offensive attacks, including a tackle and steal deep in Lobo territory in the 66th minute, leading to a powerful unassisted goal, extending CU’s lead to three.
However, McGowan wasn’t the only player putting pressure on the Lobos. The herd constantly controlled the tempo and flow of the game, hardly allowing any offensive attacks for New Mexico. When the Lobos did manage to break through, they were met with a brick-wall freshman goalkeeper, Brooke Goerish. Goerish recorded her first shutout for Colorado with five saves on five shots on goal. She also achieved her first game of playing all 90 minutes.
“[Goerish] made the saves she needed to make, and she didn’t make any mistakes,” head coach Danny Sanchez said. “I thought her distribution was pretty good. I thought tonight was a good night.”
One of Goerish’s best moments of the night came in the 63rd minute, when New Mexico forward Nicole Anderson started an attack, setting up a cross into the box from the left corner. Lobo Celina Frenz put a shot on net, which Goerish stopped. Frenz got her rebound and tried to put another shot up, which could have found the back of the net if it wasn’t for Goerish kicking the shot away while being on her back, ending New Mexico’s best attack opportunity.
A foul by New Mexico in the 76th minute gave Leyba a free kick in Lobo territory, setting up another attack and a scoring opportunity. Forward Kaia Santomarco-King displayed fancy dribbling and made her way past opponents to unload a powerful shot that just missed high and right.
While Santomarco-King may not be the tallest player on the pitch, standing at 5-foot-5-inches, she shows immense power and agility. She’s able to both dribble around defenders as well as move and tackle them out of her way.
Power was a common theme on this team. Players were willing to step in front of shots and opponents. One of these moments came at the 53rd minute when New Mexico defender Fiona Jenkins charged into Colorado territory and fired off a shot, and Leyba stood in front of the shot and blocked it off her chest, keeping it from even threatening Goerish in goal.
Colorado will have a few days to rest up and prepare before taking on the Utah State University Aggies on Sunday. The game begins at 12 p.m. MT and will stream on ESPN+ as the Buffs seek to continue their Prentup perfection.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Zach Muniz at zamu2731@colorado.edu
Contact CU Independent Staff Photographer Eli Walters at Eli.Walters-1@colorado.edu
