Colorado Soccer Opens 2026 Campaign With In-State Showdown Against Colorado State.

Boulder, Colo. — A new season begins Wednesday night for Colorado soccer, but the opening matchup will feel anything but ordinary. The Colorado Buffaloes will welcome Colorado State to Prentup Field for an in-state rivalry game that gives Colorado its first official test of the 2026 season. After closing out the 2025 campaign with a 17-4-3 record, the Buffaloes enter the new season with plenty of experience returning and expectations that come with it. Colorado already got a glimpse of its potential during a 1-0 exhibition victory over Utah on Aug. 5 in Grand Junction. The Buffs controlled much of the match offensively, holding a 16-12 advantage in shots before finding the breakthrough early in the second half on a Utah own goal. Now, the exhibition is behind them. The games count starting Wednesday.

A Veteran-Led Colorado Attack

One of Colorado's biggest advantages entering the season is the amount of offensive production returning from a year ago. The Buffs bring back players who accounted for 50 of the team's 59 goals in 2025, giving head coach Danny Sanchez an experienced group capable of putting pressure on opposing defenses. At the center of that attack is Hope Leyba. Leyba enters the season following a spectacular 2025 campaign in which she scored 22 goals and finished with 45 points. She led Colorado in both categories while also producing 97 shots and 48 shots on target. Her six game-winning goals were also tied for the team lead. Jace Holley gives the Buffaloes another proven scoring option. She finished last season with 12 goals and six assists, good for 30 points, while Regan Kotschau added seven goals and six assists for 20 points. Kotschau was particularly effective in important moments, matching Leyba with six game-winning goals.

Faith Leyba also returns after contributing four goals and four assists last season. The production does not stop with the forwards. Caley Swierenga returns after leading Colorado with nine assists in 2025, while Jordan Whiteaker recorded seven. Holley and Kotschau each added six assists. That combination gives Colorado a balanced attack with multiple players capable of creating scoring opportunities.

Momentum From 2025

The Buffaloes finished last season averaging 2.46 goals per match, scoring 59 times across 24 games. Colorado also finished with 361 total shots and put 166 of those attempts on target while allowing just 22 goals. That defensive consistency, combined with the amount of offensive production returning, gives the Buffs a strong foundation heading into Wednesday's opener. But Sanchez knows the season will not be decided by statistics from a year ago. Colorado State will provide the first opportunity to see how the returning Buffaloes handle the pressure of a meaningful game. “They had another great year last season, so we expect a very competitive match Wednesday night,” Sanchez said. “The team is prepared and focused.”

Rivalry Renewed

The matchup carries additional significance because of the history between the two programs. Colorado and Colorado State have produced several memorable meetings, including a unique 2021 season opener at Prentup Field. The Buffaloes jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind goals from Shyra James, Jade Babcock-Chi, and Shanade Hopcroft before lightning forced the game to be suspended in the 51st minute. After a 129-minute weather delay, the contest was eventually called and ruled a no-contest under NCAA rules. The teams also battled to a scoreless draw in 2018 despite Colorado controlling much of the statistical battle. The Buffs outshot CSU 30-11 and held an advantage in shots on goal and corner kicks, but neither team found the back of the net through regulation or two overtime periods. Wednesday brings another chapter in the rivalry.

For Colorado, the objective is straightforward: start the season with a win and establish the tone for what the Buffaloes hope will be another deep and successful campaign.

With a veteran core returning, an experienced attack, and home-field advantage, Colorado enters the opener with plenty of reasons for optimism.

Now, the Buffaloes have to prove it when the whistle blows.