BOULDER, Colo. — The University of Colorado soccer team has had plenty to celebrate this season: Big wins so far, and now, a place as the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

But the heart of the Buffaloes’ success lies in two sisters whose story began long before they put on the black and gold.

Hope and Faith Leyba were born at just 27 weeks. The twins were “mono mono,” meaning they shared both a placenta and an amniotic sac, a rare and risky condition with less than a 40% chance of survival.

“Our parents couldn’t do anything except pray,” Hope said. “They told each other, ‘If it all works out, we’ll name them Hope and Faith.’ And that’s what happened.”

Now, the twins are giving Colorado fans plenty to believe in.

Head coach Danny Sanchez said recruiting the pair was an easy decision.

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