Photo by: Grey Gibbs
Versatile Webb Working Towards 2019
May 15, 2019 | Soccer
The sophomore looks to build off impressive first year
BOULDER – Growing up in southern California, Kayleigh Webb has always known a life surrounded by sports.
Her grandfather, Ron Drake, won national championships in both football (1967) and baseball (1968) at Southern California. Her father, Brian, played soccer at Colorado State. Her older sister, Makenna, played soccer and her twin brother, Kyle, plays football.
It's no surprise then that Webb excelled on the soccer field both at the high school and club level in San Marcos, Calif. She won a USYS national championship with LA Galaxy San Diego and earned three varsity letters at San Marcos High School.
She took her game to the next level last fall, completing her first season with the Buffaloes. Webb was one of six freshmen that were called upon by head coach Danny Sanchez. She started all 20 matches for the Buffs, picking up her first-career goal in CU's season opener at Air Force.
Webb, the team's Newcomer of the Year, played much of the season out of position. She shifted from her midfield spot to the backend, helping solidify the Buffs' defensive corps. In doing so, she accumulated an unexpected amount of playing time. 1,726 minutes to be precise and 134 more than the team's second-leading player.
"Everyone tells you that freshman can always come in and have an impact," Webb said about her expectations coming into the season. "But you never really feel like it's going to be true."
With the help of Webb, the Buffs' defense opened the year with four consecutive shutouts. CU held its opponents scoreless for 469 minutes to open the season, marking the fifth-longest streak in program history. The Buffs totaled seven shutouts on the season and put together a school-record 16-match unbeaten streak.
The change in position was made with zero hesitancy from Coach Sanchez.
"Stepping into center back, starting and playing the most minutes on the team shows her versatility," Sanchez noted. "We feel she can play pretty much anywhere on the field and she just may."
Webb has already had to transition again this spring. She shifted to right midfielder in Colorado's five matches.
"It's fun to be able to do something different," Webb added. "It is totally different from being on one side of the field always defending—now I am prominently only attacking."
The change in position hasn't deterred Webb. She impresses coaches with her, "fitness, strength, desire to win and competitiveness," Sanchez added. "She is a very good soccer player. Going forward we want for her to find leadership and a voice."
Webb's goals for the future align with what her coaches admire. She wants to keep up her fitness through the summer and work on her attacking runs which she described as "alien."
For next season, Webb wants to, "be a standout on the field and help our team to win every game."
France 2019: The march to the fall will continue this summer. CU will have additional opportunities train in preparation for its trip to France in June. The Buffs will play four matches over a 10-day span in France.
Donations to help fund the team's trip are still welcome: Donate
Her grandfather, Ron Drake, won national championships in both football (1967) and baseball (1968) at Southern California. Her father, Brian, played soccer at Colorado State. Her older sister, Makenna, played soccer and her twin brother, Kyle, plays football.
It's no surprise then that Webb excelled on the soccer field both at the high school and club level in San Marcos, Calif. She won a USYS national championship with LA Galaxy San Diego and earned three varsity letters at San Marcos High School.
She took her game to the next level last fall, completing her first season with the Buffaloes. Webb was one of six freshmen that were called upon by head coach Danny Sanchez. She started all 20 matches for the Buffs, picking up her first-career goal in CU's season opener at Air Force.
Webb, the team's Newcomer of the Year, played much of the season out of position. She shifted from her midfield spot to the backend, helping solidify the Buffs' defensive corps. In doing so, she accumulated an unexpected amount of playing time. 1,726 minutes to be precise and 134 more than the team's second-leading player.
"Everyone tells you that freshman can always come in and have an impact," Webb said about her expectations coming into the season. "But you never really feel like it's going to be true."
With the help of Webb, the Buffs' defense opened the year with four consecutive shutouts. CU held its opponents scoreless for 469 minutes to open the season, marking the fifth-longest streak in program history. The Buffs totaled seven shutouts on the season and put together a school-record 16-match unbeaten streak.
The change in position was made with zero hesitancy from Coach Sanchez.
"Stepping into center back, starting and playing the most minutes on the team shows her versatility," Sanchez noted. "We feel she can play pretty much anywhere on the field and she just may."
Webb has already had to transition again this spring. She shifted to right midfielder in Colorado's five matches.
"It's fun to be able to do something different," Webb added. "It is totally different from being on one side of the field always defending—now I am prominently only attacking."
The change in position hasn't deterred Webb. She impresses coaches with her, "fitness, strength, desire to win and competitiveness," Sanchez added. "She is a very good soccer player. Going forward we want for her to find leadership and a voice."
Webb's goals for the future align with what her coaches admire. She wants to keep up her fitness through the summer and work on her attacking runs which she described as "alien."
For next season, Webb wants to, "be a standout on the field and help our team to win every game."
France 2019: The march to the fall will continue this summer. CU will have additional opportunities train in preparation for its trip to France in June. The Buffs will play four matches over a 10-day span in France.
Donations to help fund the team's trip are still welcome: Donate