FORT WORTH, Texas – The sixth-seeded UCF women’s soccer team had its 2025 Big 12 Soccer Tournament Presented by Allstate run come to a close in the quarterfinals to the No. 3 seed and 11th/4th-ranked Colorado Buffaloes by a score of 3-2 on Monday night at TCU’s Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
The Knights (11-3-5) built an early 2-0 advantage thanks to a pair of first-half goals, but the Buffaloes (15-2-3) responded with a trio of goals over the final 45 minutes—which included a brace from the Big 12’s leading scorer Hope Leyba—to claim the contest.
“I’m really proud of the team, especially for coming out and getting two first-half goals,” head UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “Colorado is a tough opponent, and we have a lot of respect for them. They don’t quit and are very dangerous. Credit to them for coming back and taking the game from us.”
With the Black and Gold offense on the attack in the early stages, Liz Worden dribbled around a defender at the top of the box and threaded a pass ahead to Rajanah Reed. Reed then snuck a shot past CU’s Jordan Nytes and ricocheted it off the left post and into the back of the net to give the Knights a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. Reed’s goal marked her seventh of the season to tie for the team lead with Worden.
12' | Liz ➡️ Ro to give us the early lead 😤
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) November 4, 2025
UCF 1, CU 0 pic.twitter.com/Ktr0t6dVHO
Colorado had a couple of shot attempts over the next few minutes, but UCF responded with its second goal in the 30th minute to take a 2-0 advantage. Worden played a ball to the far side on a corner kick and Gabi Berchon was there to chip it up towards the goal. The ball went to a crowd of players near the goal line and Ella Holloran managed to raise up and beat of couple of CU defenders by heading it into the net for her second goal of the season.
30' | Ella from Gabi to make it 2-0! pic.twitter.com/Yly0mQROi7
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) November 4, 2025
The Buffaloes got off four shots over the next few minutes, which included a pair of shots on goal from Hope Leyba, but the reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week Genesis Perez Watson was there to stop each attempt. Perez Watson finished with four saves in the opening half, as the Knights took a 2-0 advantage into the break.
CU responded with a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half to even the score. Hope Leyba netted Colorado’s first goal in the 53rd minute and Jace Holley followed with a goal of her own in the 57th minute to deadlock the score.
Hope Leyba then scored what proved to be the game-winner for Colorado in the 65th minute by heading home her second goal of game.
The Knights looked to respond with shots from Reed, Berchon, and Holloran down the stretch but the Buffaloes managed to hold on for the victory.
The setback marked UCF’s first loss in its last 10 games and first defeat since Sept. 25.
CU finished the night with a 19-14 advantage on shots and 10-7 with shots on frame. Hope Leyba led the Buffaloes with nine shots with six of those being on target, while six Knights tallied a pair of shots on the evening.
“Overall, I’m really proud of the team and we still have a lot to play for. Our goal is to rest now, get our heads up, and be ready for the NCAA Tournament,” Roberts Sahaydak added. “I think this group is really special and I’m ready to see what we can do in the NCAA Tournament.”
The Knights will now await a possible at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament. The 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. First round action for the tournament will begin Nov. 14-16 at 32 host sites around the country. UCF entered the day holding the nation’s 25th-best RPI.