Buffs Continue Spring Tune-Up

BOULDER—Colorado soccer returned to the pitch this week to continue its spring preparations. The Buffaloes head into a packed April calendar, starting with hosting BYU this Saturday (noon MT) at Prentup Field. 

The Buffs have been in their offseason program since the start of the second semester, pausing for last week's Spring Break. Colorado returns 19 players who saw action in 2021 and 21 players in all from last season's rosters and looks to build upon its 8-7-4 finish. 

"It's been a good winter and spring so far," head coach Danny Sanchez explained. "Our numbers are low, like a lot of programs in the country so we manage our loads in training and matches. We're excited to play over the next four weekends against some very good teams. It will be a good test for ourselves to see where our players are at as we build towards August."

The Buffs will have three of its top four scorers return in the 2022 lineup but lose the team's top scorer in Shanade Hopcroft. One piece that figures to fill some of that scoring is sophomore Jenny Beyer. Beyer missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury she suffered in the 2020 season which, due to COVID, was played in the spring of 2021. Beyer started 10 games in 2020 and played in 11 total, recording one assist. 

"Jenny's been great," Sanchez added. "She was chomping at the bit in the fall to get back out there. She's fully cleared in January, and I think she looks really good. I know she's excited to get out and play again over the next four weekends."

BYU, the 2021 national runner-up, will be CU's third contest of the spring. The Buffs played a non-traditional match against BC United Women and then played UCCS to a 4-0 decision back on Mar. 13.

"It's not all about results in the spring," Sanchez continued. "However, what you want to see is a progression of your program. If you're going to test yourself in the spring, test yourself against a top-five team, which they [BYU] is. We're excited for the opportunity on Saturday."

CU will head off to Lincoln, Neb., to take on the Huskers next Saturday. The final two spring dates will be back at Prentup Field, hosting Wyoming (Apr. 16) and then the Colorado Cup on April 23. 

All spring matches at Prentup Field are free admittance.