Reagan Kotschau turned Thursday night into a record book kind of performance, and Colorado rode that spark to a 4-0 win over Arizona at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium in Tucson.
The senior midfielder scored once and set up another as the Buffaloes improved to 11-4-1 overall and 5-3-0 in Big 12 play. Colorado has now won back-to-back road matches, while Arizona’s four-match unbeaten run came to an end at 5-6-5 overall and 2-2-4 in the league.
"I thought we were excellent tonight. We did a fantastic job in the back third. It's always a great thing when you can score four goals," Head Coach Danny Sanchez said.
Kotschau made her biggest mark early. She buried a penalty kick in the 21st minute for her fifth of the season from the spot, setting a new Colorado single-season record and passing Taylor Kornieck’s mark of four from 2019. Later, she delivered the corner kick that Faith Leyba headed home to close the scoring, giving Kotschau her 10th assist and tying the program’s season record shared by Kornieck (2018), Shanade Hopcroft (2021) and Emerson Layne (2025).
"Consistent. That's exactly what she's been for us, and she's been good all season," Sanchez said.
Colorado didn’t have to wait long after that first goal to break the game open. Just 2:26 later, the Buffs scored again.
Sloane Phillips redirected the ball off her chest to Jace Holley, who slipped it to Michaela McGowan on the right side of the box. McGowan finished it high for a 2-0 lead at 23:56, with Phillips and Holley earning assists.
Holley added to the margin in the second half, scoring in the 55th minute after Hannah Healy’s shot was blocked. Holley gathered the loose ball and finished with her right foot for her 18th career goal at Colorado, moving her into 10th on the program’s all-time list.
Leyba put the final touch on the night in the 75th minute, getting to Kotschau’s left-sided corner near the front post and heading it in.
Colorado’s defense did the rest. The Buffs outshot Arizona 13-5, put six shots on goal and allowed none.
They also owned an 8-4 edge in corner kicks. Brooke Goerish and Jamie Campbell combined for the ninth shutout of the season without facing a save; Goerish handled the first 79 minutes before Campbell finished the job.
The first-half chances hinted at what was coming. Kotschau tested the keeper in the 14th minute, and Caley Swierenga rang the crossbar a minute later from the right side of the box.
Hannah Healy nearly added another before halftime too, launching a long-range try that hit the upper-right portion of the crossbar in the 35th minute. Colorado went into the break up 2-0 and ahead 8-3 in shots, including 3-0 on target.
The Buffaloes now wrap up their three-match road swing at Arizona State on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Kickoff in Tempe is set for 2 p.m. MT, and the match will stream on ESPN+.
In Other News...
Colorado Faces An Oklahoma State Threat Fans Shouldn't Overlook
Oklahoma State arrives with more than just a dangerous offense, because Drew Mestemaker has become one of the more talked-about quarterbacks in the country. The buzz around him has been loud enough to push him into first-round NFL Draft conversations, and some mock drafts have even sent him as high as No. 2. He has been a major reason the program has regained national attention, with head coach Eric Morris leaning into modern recruiting methods and an offensive system that fits Mestemaker's skill set.
For Colorado, the challenge is obvious: this is a quarterback who can swing a game with his arm and command a defense's full attention. The concern for Oklahoma State, though, is that the hype comes with some volatility, and Mestemaker has already thrown six interceptions this season. That makes him a fascinating threat to prepare for, because the ceiling is enormous even if the margin for error has not disappeared. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Injury News Could Change What Oklahoma State Faces Saturday
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The more revealing part of the report came with Richardson and Atkins being taken off the injury list altogether, which usually points to something bigger than a simple week-to-week setback. For Colorado, that matters in a few different spots, from depth on defense to the tight end room, and it leaves the Buffs still sorting out who is truly close to returning before they try to handle an Oklahoma State team that will be watching those updates just as closely. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Suddenly Has A Chance To Flip A Game Nobody Expected
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For Colorado, the intrigue is less about the national picture and more about whether this group can turn a tricky spot into a statement game. The opponent is a familiar name in the league, and the conversation around the Buffs centers on whether their defense can create the kind of disruption that changes the tone of the afternoon. If Colorado is going to flip a game few expected it to even control, that side of the ball may have to do the heavy lifting. [Read more 🡒]