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: August 22, 2024 at 9:39 p.m.