The week started as frustrating as possible for the Colorado women’s soccer team.
But the Buffaloes got back on track on Thursday night and Shyra James, a fifth-year starter last year, made history.
Four days after blowing a lead in the final minutes against nationally ranked North Carolina, CU returned to winning ways with a 5-1 win over Wyoming at Prentup Field. James made it a night to remember by scoring three goals in the second half, breaking CU’s career goals record.
With her first career hat trick, James increased her total goals to 44, surpassing Nikki Marshall’s previous record of 42.
Marshall, who coached James as a CU assistant in 2022, was present in Prentup.
“After I scored the first goal, it just kept going and I got more adrenaline and more excitement,” James said. “To experience this with my team is amazing. To break (Marshall’s) record and knowing her in that regard is also exciting. She texted me good luck. It was exciting to break the record in front of her and how I did today.”
CU (2-0-1) took an early lead in its first meeting with the Cowgirls since 2012 when Hope Leyba converted a header opportunity on a corner kick by Laura Gouvin in the eighth minute.
The 1-0 lead remained until halftime, and then the game developed into a Shyra James show.
After a handball penalty against Wyoming, James converted the penalty in the 59th minute to tie Marshall’s record and give the Buffs a much-needed lead. James was just warming up.
Six minutes later, James buried a rebound to give CU a 3-0 lead. She is the sole goal-scoring record holder with 43 goals and added to the joy with a header off a cross pass from Emerson Layne.
The first hat trick of James’ career was the seventh in program history, the first since Tatum Barton scored three goals against Missouri on August 25, 2018. James scored her three goals within 10 minutes, 23 seconds.
Wyoming’s Alyssa Bedard converted a penalty in the 83rd minute to break the Buffs’ shutout, and CU’s Lola Stanley capped the scoring with her first collegiate goal in the 88th minute.
“After (North Carolina), you can go in a couple of different directions and we said, ‘We’re going to go all out.’ Tuesday was probably our toughest practice of the season,” said Buffs coach Danny Sanchez, who was head coach at Wyoming for four seasons before taking over at CU. “After a disappointing ending to a game like Sunday, you just want to get back playing. I think the team was eager to get back on the floor.”
Remarkable
Entering Thursday, James was one of 44 players on the waiting list for the Hermann Trophy, given to the nation’s top player. James was one of only four Big 12 players on the list, which also included Texas Tech trio Macy Blackburn, Sam Courtwright and Ashleigh Williams. … Buffs co-captain Rachel Rosen had started 37 straight games but was substituted on Thursday. … CU completes a season-opening four-game home series on Sunday against Michigan (noon, ESPN+).
CU Buffs Women’s Soccer 5, Wyoming 1
Wisconsin 0 1 — 1
Colorado 1 4— 5
Goals — Colorado: H. Leyba (Gouvin), 8th minute; James (PK), 59th minute; James (unassisted), 65th minute; James (Layne), 70th minute; Stanley (Fisher), 88th minute. Wyoming: Bedard (PK), 83rd minute.
Goalkeepers (Min. goals allowed – balls saved) — Wyoming: Bartel (90-5-4). Colorado: Nytes (69-0-8); Campbell (21-1-3).
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