By Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer
No. 7 Baylor soccer felt pressure for the first time in over a month, trailing by two goals at halftime to No. 24 Colorado
The Bears didn’t want to go down without a fight. They started to find offensive rhythm in the 67th minute, but the Buffaloes weren’t finished yet.
They sent a curling ball into the box. Forward Jace Holley dove out and headed the ball into the net for their third goal of the night.
That goal sealed the Thursday night match as Baylor (10-2-1, 3-1-1 Big 12) had no answer for Colorado (9-3-1, 3-2 Big 12) in the 3-0 loss. The defeat broke its nine-match unbeaten streak as it was shut out for the first time this season.
The Bears’ only loss coming into the match came against Texas State back on Aug. 23. They had gone 8-0-1 in that stretch.
Colorado got things rolling first after a long pass to forward Hope Leyba split the Baylor’s backline, allowing Leyba to chip it past fifth-year goalkeeper Azul Alvarez for the lead. The Bears found themselves down one on the road for only the second time this season.
Both teams came out playing in similar play styles: minimal possession with long runs and high passes. Even after the initial goal, the first half was all Colorado.
The Buffaloes extended their lead to two in the 43rd minute. Leyba found herself in the box with the ball at her feet. She flicked it over Alvarez off her head for number two on the night.
The Bears went into halftime trailing three shots to five and with a 2-0 hole.
Baylor picked up its intensity after the half and put more pressure on Colorado’s freshman goalkeeper. As things started to look up for the Bears, the Buffaloes stole another one with Holley’s goal
After the goal, Baylor continued to struggle to put shots on goal and did not pressure at the net. The Bears’ offense is usually a threat, but tonight it wasn’t.
The night ended with seven shots and four yellow cards for the Bears, a complete turnaround from their game against Kansas.
Baylor looks to bounce back against Kansas State at noon Sunday at Betty Lou Mays Field.
