Wyoming
Women’s soccer: Shyra James breaks all-time goals record as CU Buffs top Wyoming
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.
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.
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+).
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.
Goalies (Min.-goals allowed-saves) — Wyoming: Bartel (90-5-4). Colorado: Nytes (69-0-8); Campbell (21-1-3).
Originally Published:
Wyoming
Wyoming High School Softball Regional Tournaments 2026
Sheridan will play in the North Regional Tournament at Gillette, while the South Regional Tournament will be played at Rock Springs.
North Regional Tournament at Gillette:
Checking record vs. highest team in the quadrant not involved in the tie, Thunder Basin gets the #1 Northeast seed over Campbell County, because the Lady Bolts went 3-1 vs. Sheridan, whereas the Lady Camels went 2-2.
Friday, May 15th:
(#1 NE) Thunder Basin vs. (#4 NW) Jackson – 11am
(#2 NW) Natrona County vs. (#3 NE) Sheridan – 11am
(#2 NE) Campbell County vs. (#3 NW) Kelly Walsh – 1pm
(#1 NW) Cody vs. (#4 NE) Worland – 1pm
Semi-Finals:
Thunder Basin/Jackson winner vs. Natrona County/Sheridan winner – 3pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Campbell County/Kelly Walsh winner vs. Cody/Worland winner – 5pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Consolation Round:
Thunder Basin/Jackson loser vs. Natrona County/Sheridan loser – 3pm LOSER OUT!
Campbell County/Kelly Walsh loser vs. Cody/Worland loser – 5pm LOSER OUT!
Saturday, May 16th:
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
2 10am winners vs. each other – 1pm 3rd Place
TBA vs. TBA – 1pm 1st Place
South Regional Tournament at Rock Springs:
Friday, May 15th:
(#1 SW) Laramie vs. (#4 SE) Torrington – 11am
(#2 SE) Cheyenne East vs. (#3 SW) Green River – 11am
(#2 SW) Rock Springs vs. (#3 SE) Wheatland – 1pm
(#1 SE) Cheyenne Central vs. (#4 SW) Cheyenne South – 1pm
Semi-Finals:
Laramie/Torrington winner vs. Cheyenne East/Green River winner – 3pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Rock Springs/Wheatland winner vs. Cheyenne Central/Cheyenne South winner – 5pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Consolation Round:
Laramie/Torrington loser vs. Cheyenne East/Green River loser – 3pm LOSER OUT!
Rock Springs/Wheatland loser vs. Cheyenne Central/Cheyenne South loser – 5pm LOSER OUT!
Saturday, May 16th:
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
2 10am winners vs. each other – 1pm 3rd Place
TBA vs. TBA – 1pm 1st Place
Wyoming
Jackson resident Rebecca Bextel announces campaign for Wyoming governor
CASPER, Wyo. — Jackson resident Rebecca Bextel has announced her candidacy for governor, seeking the nomination of the Constitution Party.
Bextel, a small business owner, framed her campaign as a challenge to the established political system in Wyoming. She said she intends to provide a conservative alternative for voters who believe the Republican primary often favors candidates who compromise on their principles.
“My run for Governor as the Constitution Party candidate aims to allow conservatives two lanes for the same race, just like the Democrats,” Bextel said in a statement.
Her platform prioritizes energy production, Second Amendment rights, school choice and efforts to reduce government regulation. Bextel also emphasized a focus on election integrity, calling for voter identification requirements and increased transparency.
The announcement comes on the heels of a controversy during the 2026 legislative budget session in Cheyenne. In February, the Wyoming House of Representatives voted unanimously to form a special committee to investigate Bextel’s actions after she handed out campaign donation checks to several lawmakers on the House floor.
Bextel acknowledged delivering the checks, which she said were from a Teton County donor. She maintained there was no wrongdoing in “delivering lawful campaign checks” while at the Capitol. Legislators initiated the inquiry to determine if the actions violated the state constitution or constituted legislative misconduct.
While Wyoming House investigators cleared lawmakers of wrongdoing, Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak’s parallel investigation was still ongoing as of April.
Bextel previously served as a precinct committee person and state committeewoman within the Republican Party. She unsuccessfully sought the top leadership position of the Wyoming Republican Party last year. She said her decision to join the Constitution Party arose from her observations of political insiders and party machinery in Cheyenne.
The Constitution Party plans to hold a state convention on June 18 and 19 to nominate candidates for the general election ballot.
Others filing to take the seat Gov. Mark Gordon is vacating include Sheridan resident Gabriel Green, a Democrat, and Republicans Brent Bien, Sen. Eric Barlow and State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder. A fourth Republican, Joseph Kibler, withdrew his announced candidacy in April.
The primary election is set for Aug. 18. The general election will be Nov. 3.
Related
Wyoming
Wyoming High School 3A Soccer Scoreboard for May 11-16, 2026
It is the last week of the 2026 regular season for Class 3A girls’ and boys’ soccer teams in the Cowboy State. Only the top four from each conference will advance to next week’s state tournament in Gillette. These last regular-season matches could impact where teams finish in the league standings. That would shape the first-round matches at the state tournament. The week begins with a rescheduled girls’ match from an earlier postponement. The rest of the slate is Thursday through Saturday.
WYOPREPS WEEK 9 CLASS 3A BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER SCHEDULE 2026
Here are the 3A matches on the schedule for Week 9. Schedules are subject to change.
MONDAY, MAY 11
Girls:
Final Score: Rawlins 5 Pinedale 0
TUESDAY, MAY 12
Girls:
Final Score: #5 Mountain View 7 Pinedale 0 (conference match)
Boys:
Final Score: #5 Mountain View 3 Pinedale 0 (conference match)
THURSDAY, MAY 14
Girls:
Lyman at #3 Lander, 3 p.m. (conference match)
Boys:
Lyman at #2 Lander, 5 p.m. (conference match)
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Girls:
Rawlins at Douglas, 3 p.m. (conference match)
#1 Cody at #2 Powell, 4 p.m. (conference match)
Worland at #4 Buffalo, 4 p.m. (conference match)
Newcastle at Torrington, 6 p.m. (conference match)
Boys:
Rawlins at Douglas, 5 p.m. (conference match)
#4 Worland at #2 Buffalo, 6 p.m. (conference match)
Final Score: Torrington 1 Newcastle 0 (conference match) – forfeit win for the Blazers.
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Girls:
#3 Lander at #5 Mountain View, 11 a.m. (conference match)
Pinedale at Lyman, noon (conference match)
Boys:
#2 Lander at #5 Mountain View, 1 p.m. (conference match)
Pinedale at Lyman, 2 p.m. (conference match)
2026 Glen Legler Early Bird Track Meet
Athletes competed in Casper at NCHS during Week 2 of the 2026 season in the Glen Legler Early Bird Invite.
Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Shannon Dutcher
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