Colorado hadn’t scored a goal in what felt like forever. And the Buffaloes were another 45 scoreless minutes from seeing what began as an extremely promising season come to an abrupt and disappointing finish.

This was against Utah in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament two weeks ago. The Buffaloes were winless in their previous six matches (0-4-2) and hadn’t scored a goal in nearly five full games. Yet CU was able to score twice in the second half, upending Utah.

Although the conference tournament run ended soon afterward for the CU women’s soccer team, netting that 2-1 comeback win saved the Buffs’ season. It was enough to keep the Buffs in the NCAA Tournament field, and they hope the offense that was rekindled in the conference tournament carries over into Friday’s first-round matchup at Georgia (2:30 p.m., ESPN+).

“You’re down 1-0 at halftime, and Hope (Leyba) scores that goal out of just pure effort,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “You could almost see the spark of the group change. And obviously Ava (Priest) quality to win it, which really put us in the tournament. That game, anything less than a win and we’re probably out.

“This last week, the training was really good. It might’ve been easy to mail it in and feel sorry for ourselves. But the training’s been good. We’re just glad we have another oppor- tunity.”

During the Buffs’ years in the Pac-12, the NCAA Tournament immediately followed the conclusion of the regular season. With a conference tournament now in the equation, the Buffs have had time to rest since they were defeated by TCU in the Big 12 quarterfinals on Nov. 2. That could be a huge boost to CU’s most explosive offensive weapon, Shyra James.

The Buffs’ all-time leading goal-scorer struggled through a midseason rash of injuries, missing eight out of 10 contests, including the final five in a row.

She hasn’t scored in four games since returning, but Sanchez admitted James hasn’t been at full strength.

The Buffs expect her to be on Friday as they look to end a run of consecutive first-round NCAA Tournament defeats.

“Shyra wasn’t 100% when she came back, and these injuries usually take four to six weeks,” Sanchez said. “She came back a little before four weeks. Now she’s past six weeks. She’ll be 100% for Friday.

“(Georgia) is super-talented. They’re well-coached. And they played in a brutal conference where they got a lot of good results. For us, from our side of it, it’s about staying healthy and being prepared, and then going there and playing our best soccer. If you’re going to go on the road and play a team like this, we’re going to have to play very well.”

Signing day

On Thursday, the Buffs announced the signing of five prep recruits set to join the program in 2025.

The group includes Ruby Hayward, a forward out of Mesa, Ariz.; Maddie Sharer, a midfielder from Hawaii; two midfielders from Southern California, Viviana Zacharias and Sophia Bayan; and Chloe Ziprich, a goalie from Evanston, Ill.

CU honored 10 departing players during its Senior Day festivities at the final home game, so it surely will sign more players in time and be active in the transfer market.