No. 10 WVU Women’s Soccer (5-1-2) suffered its first loss of the season to No. 13 Colorado (8-1-1) Thursday in Boulder, Colorado.
The Buffaloes blanked the Mountaineers, 2-0. Read more: No. 10 WVU Women’s Soccer swept by No. 13 Colorado in Boulder.
WVU developed high expectations during its non-conference stretch, but will have to try again to pick up its first Big 12 win of the season.
First half
WVU started the first half as the primary attackers, taking the first two shots in the first 11 minutes.
Colorado would start to take some shots of its own shortly after, but both goalies were able to make saves on all attempts.
In the 35th minute, WVU would sub in Layla Thompson. In the next minute, Thompson fouled, and a free kick was awarded to Colorado.
To make matters worse for the Mountaineers, Ava Arnold also received a yellow card for unsporting.
Soon after the foul and yellow card, Colorado scored its first goal of the game. Hope Leyba got a shot in the top right corner of the goal.
The goal was Leyba’s eighth of the season and only the fifth WVU goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth has allowed this season.
WVU received another yellow card for unsporting in the 40th minute.
In the final five minutes of the first half, the Mountaineers would get a couple of free kicks off some Buffalo fouls but would not capitalize off of them.
Second half
WVU would take the first shot on goal in the 46th minute, but it was saved by Colorado goalkeeper Brooke Goerish.
In the 54th minute, WVU got its third yellow card of the game. The yellow card was given to Olivia Shertzer for unsporting.
Just five minutes later, WVU had its fourth yellow card for unsporting.
In the 69th minute, a foul was called on Mia Paugh giving Colorado a penalty kick.
Reagan Kotschau was successful in putting the penalty kick in the bottom right of the net for Buffalo’s second goal of the contest.
This was Kotschau’s eighth goal of the season and the first time Herfurth has allowed two goals in a game.
WVU and Colorado played good defense for the remainder of the half, with only a few shots taken. Colorado had the only shot on goal for the remainder of the game, but it was saved by Herfurth.
Overall, WVU only managed four shots on goal to Colorado’s nine.
The 2-0 loss was the first time the Mountaineers had been shut out this season. It had scored at least one goal in its seven previous matches.
Looking ahead
WVU is arguably through its toughest stretch of the season. Only two of its remaining Big 12 opponents are ranked (No. 23 UCF and No. 25 Texas Tech). Before Colorado, it tied No. 11 Baylor 1-1.
Related: WVU Women’s Soccer faces toughest challenge yet when Baylor comes to town
WVU now sits tied at eleventh in the Big 12 standings at 0-1-1, as Colorado is tied for first with Houston at 2-0.
WVU will have to travel to face Houston October 2. It next travels to face Iowa State, who are 0-2 in conference play, September 27 at 1 p.m.
Stay up to date with WV Sports Nation for more WVU Athletics coverage by downloading the WV Sports Nation app.
