Colorado Women’s Soccer Advances in NCAA Tournament with Double-Overtime Win
Reagan Kotschau’s double-overtime heroics propelled the Colorado women’s soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Utah Valley in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Kotschau’s game-winning goal in the 106th minute sealed the win for the Buffs, who now hold the distinction of being the winningest team in program history.
The junior midfielder from Thornton reflected on the intense match, stating, “I’m kind of relieved that it’s over because we were all so dead, but it feels really good that we grinded out that win.” Kotschau’s goal, assisted by Ava Priest, showcased the team’s resilience and determination.
With the win, Colorado (16-3-3) advances to the next round where they will face the winner of the match between No. 6 Dayton and Xavier. Head coach Danny Sanchez praised his team’s composure and praised Kotschau’s aerial prowess, describing her finish as “classy.”
Despite falling behind early to Utah Valley, Colorado fought back with goals from Vivi Zacarias and Kotschau, showcasing their offensive firepower. The Buffs dominated in overtime, displaying a relentless attacking mentality that ultimately paid off.
Defensively, Colorado successfully neutralized Utah Valley’s top scorer, Faith Webber, and goalkeeper Jordan Nytes made crucial saves to secure the win. The electric atmosphere at Prentup Field, with a season-high attendance of 2,171 fans, provided a boost for the Buffs.
Sanchez expressed his gratitude for the support, stating, “Special nights like this, you have to enjoy them.” Colorado’s historic victory sets the stage for a potential deep run in the NCAA Tournament, with the team eyeing their first trip to the third round since 2013.
