The week began as frustratingly as possible for the Colorado women’s soccer team.
But the Buffaloes got back on track on Thursday night, and fifth-year senior Shyra James made history along the way.
Four days after allowing a lead to slip away in the final minutes against nationally ranked North Carolina, CU returned to the win column with a 5-1 victory against Wyoming at Prentup Field. James made it a memorable night, scoring three goals in the second half to break CU’s career goals record.
James’ first career hat trick increased her all-time total to 44 goals, breaking Nikki Marshall’s former mark of 42.
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Marshall, who helped coach James as a CU assistant in 2022, was in attendance at Prentup.
“Once I scored the first one, it kept happening and I started getting more adrenaline, more excitement,” James said. “To experience this with my team, it’s insane. To beat (Marshall’s) record, and me knowing her in that aspect, is exciting as well. She texted me good luck. It was exciting to beat the record in front of her, and how I did today.”
CU (2-0-1) got on the board early in the first matchup against the Cowgirls since 2012, with Hope Leyba converting on a header chance in the eighth minute off a corner kick from Laura Gouvin.
The 1-0 lead held through halftime, and then the match turned into the Shyra James show.
After a hand ball penalty against Wyoming, James converted the penalty kick to tie Marshall’s record and give the Buffs a much-needed cushion in the 59th minute. James was just getting warmed up.
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James blasted home a rebound goal six minutes later to give CU a 3-0 lead and take sole possession of the all-time goals record with 43, and she added to the festivities with a header goal off a crossing pass from Emerson Layne.
The first career hat trick for James was the seventh in program history, the first since Tatum Barton scored three goals against Missouri on Aug. 25, 2018. James scored her three goals in a span of 10 minutes, 23 seconds.
Wyoming’s Alyssa Bedard scored on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute to ruin the Buffs’ shutout. CU’s Lola Stanley capped the scoring with her first collegiate goal in the 88th minute.
“You can go a couple ways after (North Carolina) and we went ‘We’re going to really get after it.’ Tuesday was probably our hardest practice of the season,” said Buffs coach Danny Sanchez, who spent four seasons as the head coach at Wyoming prior to taking over at CU. “After a disappointing end to a game like Sunday, you just want to play again. So I think the team was champing at the bit to get out there again.”
Notable
On Thursday, James was one of 44 players named to the watch list for the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the top player in the nation. James was one of just four Big 12 players on the list, which also included the Texas Tech trio of Macy Blackburn, Sam Courtwright and Ashleigh Williams. … Buffs co-captain Rachel Rosen had started 37 consecutive games but played off the bench on Thursday. … CU completes a season-opening four-game homestand on Sunday against Michigan (noon, ESPN+).
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CU Buffs women’s soccer 5, Wyoming 1
Wyoming 0 1 — 1
Colorado 1 4— 5
Goals — Colorado: H. Leyba (Gouvin), 8th minute; James (PK), 59th minute; James (unassisted), 65th minute; James (Layne), 70th minute; Stanley (Fisher), 88th minute. Wyoming: Bedard (PK), 83rd minute.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Transportation has reported that the ongoing high wind speeds throughout the state have caused 39 vehicles to crash on Wyoming highways so far this week, primarily between Dec. 9 and Dec. 11.
According to a report from WYDOT, most of the crashes occurred on Interstate 80 near Cooper Cove west of Laramie, on I-25 on Wyo Hill south of Cheyenne and along I-25 near Wheatland at Bordeaux. Many blown-over vehicles were underweight, and some trailers were even empty.
WYDOT updates the minimum weights listed on overhead digital messaging signs based on real-time wind speeds. Drivers are encouraged to check weight-based wind closure information often to ensure travel is permitted.
It’s not just commercial vehicles that are at risk, either; the department reports that campers, toy-haulers and other large trailers are also susceptible to blowing over in strong winds.
June skiing and pond-skimming at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado
Skiers and snowboarders soak in the sun and attempt to make it across a pond on a June day at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado
Snowy Range ski area is scheduled to open for the season on Dec. 12.
Daily lift ticket prices range from $40 for children to $69 for adults.
Snowy Range, one of the closest ski areas to Fort Collins, is scheduled to open for the season Dec. 12 and remain open through April 12, 2026.
The ski area had a snow depth of about 30 inches on Dec. 9, spokesperson Kate Lessman told the Coloradoan in an email.
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Daily lift tickets range in price from $59-$69 purchased onsite for adults, $52-$62 for teenagers ages 13-17 and $40-$50 for children ages 5-12. Children age 4 and younger and senior citizens age 70 and older can ski for free. Tickets purchased in advance online are discounted $5.
More: Complete Colorado ski resort guide
Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area is located about 100 miles northwest of Fort Collins and 36 miles west of Laramie, Wyoming.
For additional information, visit the ski area’s website.
Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell can be reached at KellyLyell@coloradoan.com. Follow him on x.com/KellyLyell, threads.net/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news.
