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2024/25 SOCCER general off-season news thread
- Thread starter AztecBuff
- Start date
MarkW
Well-Known Member
MarkW
Well-Known Member
Two Buffs have been invited to the first ever USWNT talent ID camp; defender Faith Leyba and midfielder Ava Priest. Both will be juniors this fall. The camp takes place June 18-22 in Atlanta.
U.S. Soccer to Hold 42-player Women’s College Talent ID Camp in Atlanta
MarkW
Well-Known Member
#ForeverBuff Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville) is a free agent. I am wondering if the Denver NWSL team will attempt to sign her. The list of free agents was released today and current teams as well as interested parties can negotiate with players. There is no college draft or expansion draft so roster construction happens through free agency and transfers.
Bmixer
Well-Known Member
that might make me go down and watch a game.
MarkW
Well-Known Member
Quick ‘24 Season Recap:
High -
The Buffs finished the season earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney following a disappointing Big XII regular season. In the NCAA tourney they beat Georgia 3-2 in Athens in the first round before losing 1-3 at Wake Forest.
The non-conference portion of the schedule was another area to celebrate which saw them win 7 out of 8 with the lone loss being 2-3 to North Carolina. The Buffs had UNC on the ropes, but played scared once they had a lead and ended up losing.
Honors -
*Jordan Nytes - Big XII Keeper of the Year & First Team, Academic All-District, First Team All-Midwest, #42 in Top Drawer’s 100, Third Team All-American
*Faith Leyba - Big XII First Team, First Team All-Midwest
Juliauna Heyward - Big XII Second Team
*Jace Holley - Big XII Freshmen Team
Rachel Rosen - First Team All-District
*Ava Priest - First Team All-Midwest, #84 in Top Drawer’s 100
* Returns for the ‘25 season.
Lows-
Once the conference portion of the season hit, the goal scoring drought began and it was deadly. (8 goals in 11 matches with 4 consecutive goalless games to end the regular season They conceded 11 goals, but 6 were v TCU. There was a bit of a recovery in the postseason with 7 goals scored in 4 matches). This is the reason the Buffs finished 11th rather than the predicted 4th in the Big XII. And it is confounding given the talent and experience with the forwards and midfield.
Graduated -
Transferred Out -
‘25 Incoming
Freshmen -
The coaching staff signed 5 freshmen, however none are rated in the top 100 by TDS. You can read about them on this link - Sanchez, Buffs Add Five for 25
An additional freshman signed in the summer: defender Lilian Zamorano from Cologne, Germany
Incoming Transfers -
This is where the most impact will come from in terms of newcomers. The staff signed five all of whom are originally from Colorado and all have at least two seasons of eligibility. They have been in Boulder since the spring semester began at CU.
Buff Bring in Five for 2025
Sanchez signed one more transfer at the beginning of the summer - defender Kenzi Gallespie from Kansas State.
CU hosts Colorado College in an exhibition on Thurs., Aug. 7 and then opens the nonconference portion of the season a week later at home with Michigan State.
High -
The Buffs finished the season earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney following a disappointing Big XII regular season. In the NCAA tourney they beat Georgia 3-2 in Athens in the first round before losing 1-3 at Wake Forest.
The non-conference portion of the schedule was another area to celebrate which saw them win 7 out of 8 with the lone loss being 2-3 to North Carolina. The Buffs had UNC on the ropes, but played scared once they had a lead and ended up losing.
Honors -
*Jordan Nytes - Big XII Keeper of the Year & First Team, Academic All-District, First Team All-Midwest, #42 in Top Drawer’s 100, Third Team All-American
*Faith Leyba - Big XII First Team, First Team All-Midwest
Juliauna Heyward - Big XII Second Team
*Jace Holley - Big XII Freshmen Team
Rachel Rosen - First Team All-District
*Ava Priest - First Team All-Midwest, #84 in Top Drawer’s 100
* Returns for the ‘25 season.
Lows-
Once the conference portion of the season hit, the goal scoring drought began and it was deadly. (8 goals in 11 matches with 4 consecutive goalless games to end the regular season They conceded 11 goals, but 6 were v TCU. There was a bit of a recovery in the postseason with 7 goals scored in 4 matches). This is the reason the Buffs finished 11th rather than the predicted 4th in the Big XII. And it is confounding given the talent and experience with the forwards and midfield.
Graduated -
- G Lindsey Smith
- D Laura Gouvin
- M Lola Stanley
- D Rachel Rosen
- M Jenny Beyer (signed with FF USV Jenna in the Frauen Bundesliga)
- M Michaela Rosenbaum
- D Phoenix Dawn Miranda
- F Shyra James (signed with Racing Power FC in the Portuguese 1st division) - she leaves as program’s all time leading goal scored with 47
- M Hannah Duguid
Transferred Out -
- M Juliauna Heyward to Georgia
- D Angelina Moschetti to Baylor
- F Claire Curran to Oklahoma
‘25 Incoming
Freshmen -
The coaching staff signed 5 freshmen, however none are rated in the top 100 by TDS. You can read about them on this link - Sanchez, Buffs Add Five for 25
An additional freshman signed in the summer: defender Lilian Zamorano from Cologne, Germany
Incoming Transfers -
This is where the most impact will come from in terms of newcomers. The staff signed five all of whom are originally from Colorado and all have at least two seasons of eligibility. They have been in Boulder since the spring semester began at CU.
- M Lexi Meyer (Lone Tree) TDS #37 out of HS (from Alabama)
- D Caley Swierenga (Denver) 4* out of HS (from LSU)
- D Jordan Whiteaker (Littleton) (from TCU)
- M Reagan Kotschau (Thornton) (from Washington State)
- M Riley MacDonald (Highlands Ranch) (from LSU)
Buff Bring in Five for 2025
Sanchez signed one more transfer at the beginning of the summer - defender Kenzi Gallespie from Kansas State.
CU hosts Colorado College in an exhibition on Thurs., Aug. 7 and then opens the nonconference portion of the season a week later at home with Michigan State.
MarkW
Well-Known Member
We’ll get a preview of the Buffs as they open the ‘25 season with a home exhibition match v Colorado College on Thursday night. With 12 players from last season's team graduated or transferred there are 12 newcomers, evenly split between transfers and freshmen. Five of the transfers are from P5 programs (and all 5 went to HS in Colorado) and it’s likely that they will get playing time immediately with some of them starting.
This season’s non-conference schedule has eight total games with the first six at home. The table below has each opponents’ ‘24 final RPI. As a comparison, CU’s was 50 and they made it to the second round of the NCAA tourney.
This season’s non-conference schedule has eight total games with the first six at home. The table below has each opponents’ ‘24 final RPI. As a comparison, CU’s was 50 and they made it to the second round of the NCAA tourney.
Preview for tomorrow night's scrimmage - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/8/6/soccer-buffs-back-on-the-pitch-for-exhibition
Especially with me being out of town the next few days, GREAT to see it's being streamed and they're providing live stats! Props to the team and, I assume, the support staff for doing this (which in the past has not been that common for scrimmages like this). (See the bottom of this post for the actual links.)
"
By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications
BOULDER – Colorado Soccer returns to action for the first time in the 2025 season Thursday night, hosting Colorado College at Prentup Field (7 p.m.).
The exhibition will serve as a preview of what to expect from the new-look Buffs squad in 2025. Colorado, which opened camp on July 29, has had a solid fall camp, integrating 12 newcomers to the roster for 2025.
"We are really pleased with where the team is," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed Wednesday after training. "It's a quick turnaround from starting on July 29 to playing on August 7. However, we feel it's important to get a match under our belt before we face No. 12 Michigan State next Thursday."
The Buffs used an exhibition win last season over North Texas to jump out to a 9-1 start. The team's lone loss came in a close-fought battle with No. 8 North Carolina in the second game of the season. While getting a result is always the end goal for Sanchez and Co., there will be focus points throughout the match that his staff will be looking for on Thursday night.
"I think a lot of it is since 12 of the 24 players are new, although some played in the spring, this will be their first real match on Prentup Field together as a group," Sanchez noted. "We're looking to build some cohesiveness, tactically understanding what we're looking to get accomplished and obviously, moving some players around and seeing what they can do in different spots in a game environment."
The Buffs will move forward this season without the familiar names of Shyra James or Rachel Rosen, who were mainstays in the lineup over the last five seasons. Jordan Nytes, the reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year, will man the net for the Buffs and return in her role as captain in 2025. Two of the team's top three goal-scorers are back in Hope Leyba (8) and Ava Priest (6).
But with key departures across the pitch, there will be plenty of opportunity for players to fill in key roles.
"We're excited that Jordi is our captain again," Sanchez exclaimed. "She did a great job last year, and we know that she'll have a great season on and off the field this year. We believe that Faith Leyba will lead our backline. She's really grown into a leadership role, and we will continue to develop and nurture that quality in her. But we're really pleased with what she's doing.
"In the midfield, we have some experienced players in Ava Priest and Reagan Kotschau that we feel have great leadership qualities. Up top, we have experienced players. Emerson Layne, I think, is going to have a very good senior season. Then, Hope Leyba, as our leading scorer last season, we're hoping for her to continue to grow into a leadership role."
Richard Fleming will have the call on ESPN+.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time online at CUBuffs.com/Tickets.
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
"
________________________________________________________________________________
Media links:
Link to links to Live stats for all CU matches - https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=colo .
Direct links for this match - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=594046
Live Video: Match s scheduled to be provided through the premium ($) ESPN+ subscription service, available either on the ESPN app or at https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/a4c02abd-355e-4634-9f05-fdc76759457e/redirected/true .
Match notes (If blank below, they weren't available as I type this.) -
Especially with me being out of town the next few days, GREAT to see it's being streamed and they're providing live stats! Props to the team and, I assume, the support staff for doing this (which in the past has not been that common for scrimmages like this). (See the bottom of this post for the actual links.)
"
Buffs Back on the Pitch for Exhibition
First kick is set for 7 p.m.By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications
BOULDER – Colorado Soccer returns to action for the first time in the 2025 season Thursday night, hosting Colorado College at Prentup Field (7 p.m.).
The exhibition will serve as a preview of what to expect from the new-look Buffs squad in 2025. Colorado, which opened camp on July 29, has had a solid fall camp, integrating 12 newcomers to the roster for 2025.
"We are really pleased with where the team is," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed Wednesday after training. "It's a quick turnaround from starting on July 29 to playing on August 7. However, we feel it's important to get a match under our belt before we face No. 12 Michigan State next Thursday."
The Buffs used an exhibition win last season over North Texas to jump out to a 9-1 start. The team's lone loss came in a close-fought battle with No. 8 North Carolina in the second game of the season. While getting a result is always the end goal for Sanchez and Co., there will be focus points throughout the match that his staff will be looking for on Thursday night.
"I think a lot of it is since 12 of the 24 players are new, although some played in the spring, this will be their first real match on Prentup Field together as a group," Sanchez noted. "We're looking to build some cohesiveness, tactically understanding what we're looking to get accomplished and obviously, moving some players around and seeing what they can do in different spots in a game environment."
The Buffs will move forward this season without the familiar names of Shyra James or Rachel Rosen, who were mainstays in the lineup over the last five seasons. Jordan Nytes, the reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year, will man the net for the Buffs and return in her role as captain in 2025. Two of the team's top three goal-scorers are back in Hope Leyba (8) and Ava Priest (6).
But with key departures across the pitch, there will be plenty of opportunity for players to fill in key roles.
"We're excited that Jordi is our captain again," Sanchez exclaimed. "She did a great job last year, and we know that she'll have a great season on and off the field this year. We believe that Faith Leyba will lead our backline. She's really grown into a leadership role, and we will continue to develop and nurture that quality in her. But we're really pleased with what she's doing.
"In the midfield, we have some experienced players in Ava Priest and Reagan Kotschau that we feel have great leadership qualities. Up top, we have experienced players. Emerson Layne, I think, is going to have a very good senior season. Then, Hope Leyba, as our leading scorer last season, we're hoping for her to continue to grow into a leadership role."
Richard Fleming will have the call on ESPN+.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time online at CUBuffs.com/Tickets.
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
"
________________________________________________________________________________
Media links:
Link to links to Live stats for all CU matches - https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=colo .
Direct links for this match - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=594046
Live Video: Match s scheduled to be provided through the premium ($) ESPN+ subscription service, available either on the ESPN app or at https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/a4c02abd-355e-4634-9f05-fdc76759457e/redirected/true .
Match notes (If blank below, they weren't available as I type this.) -
Bmixer
Well-Known Member
nice game. I liked that they scored. they dominated the game and finally got two in the back of the net. Hope is a menace as usual and the second goal was a nice header by the freshman McDonald. They outshot CC 21-1 and controlled the game. They have things to work on but I like that talent on the team. McDonald looks to have a nose for scoring as she had several nice shots. Needs to work on her conditioning but that will come. On to a top 15 team to start out the season
MarkW
Well-Known Member
2-0 Buffs over Colorado College (exhibition) on a warm, and slightly humid (for Colorado) night at Prentup.
CU had this one in control despite struggling to produce goals. They were patient and controlled in possession and were willing to build up rather than hit long balls over the top. This style of play generated eight shots on goal and eight corner kicks to one of each for CC. Jordan Nytes was not troubled in the first half while in goal and Jamie Campbell was not very busy in the second half either.
While the possession and thoughtful passing helped the Buffs control the match the majority of their shots on goal were weak and/or at the keeper. Two things to keep in mind about this issue - they have only been practicing since July 29 and Ava Priest was not available due to injury (don’t know how long she’ll be out).
The Buff came out in a 4-3-3 with six newcomers starting, including two freshmen (Vivi Zacarias in midfield and Lilian Zamorano on the back line). Oh, and six of the starters are Coloradoans.
H. Leyba - Layne - Holley
Zacarias (Fr) - Meyer (Tr) - Kotschau (Tr)
Whiteaker (Tr) - Zamorano (Fr) - F Leyba - Swierenga (Tr)
Nytes
Hope Leyba got the first goal in the 75’ when she was able to drive towards the endline and then pull back slightly to get the ball to her favored right foot and go far post.
Transfer midfielder Riley MacDonald sealed the result heading in a long free kick from Swierenga in the 84’.
The Buffs were working on a medium-high press for good portions of the match, but were struggling with when to pressure the ball and when to drop.
Left back Jordan Whiteaker was taking the corners from the right side. She is able to get a solid bend with her natural left foot.
Of the newcomers, Lilian Zamorano was the most consistent. She started as a center back paired with Faith Leyba but also saw time in the midfield. Her soccer IQ is high which allowed her to pick off passes and calmly make smart passes. It’s going to be hard to keep her off the field.
Highlights
Next week the Buffs host #12 Michigan State at 7pm Thursday and Air Force Sunday at 1 pm.
CU had this one in control despite struggling to produce goals. They were patient and controlled in possession and were willing to build up rather than hit long balls over the top. This style of play generated eight shots on goal and eight corner kicks to one of each for CC. Jordan Nytes was not troubled in the first half while in goal and Jamie Campbell was not very busy in the second half either.
While the possession and thoughtful passing helped the Buffs control the match the majority of their shots on goal were weak and/or at the keeper. Two things to keep in mind about this issue - they have only been practicing since July 29 and Ava Priest was not available due to injury (don’t know how long she’ll be out).
The Buff came out in a 4-3-3 with six newcomers starting, including two freshmen (Vivi Zacarias in midfield and Lilian Zamorano on the back line). Oh, and six of the starters are Coloradoans.
H. Leyba - Layne - Holley
Zacarias (Fr) - Meyer (Tr) - Kotschau (Tr)
Whiteaker (Tr) - Zamorano (Fr) - F Leyba - Swierenga (Tr)
Nytes
Hope Leyba got the first goal in the 75’ when she was able to drive towards the endline and then pull back slightly to get the ball to her favored right foot and go far post.
Transfer midfielder Riley MacDonald sealed the result heading in a long free kick from Swierenga in the 84’.
The Buffs were working on a medium-high press for good portions of the match, but were struggling with when to pressure the ball and when to drop.
Left back Jordan Whiteaker was taking the corners from the right side. She is able to get a solid bend with her natural left foot.
Of the newcomers, Lilian Zamorano was the most consistent. She started as a center back paired with Faith Leyba but also saw time in the midfield. Her soccer IQ is high which allowed her to pick off passes and calmly make smart passes. It’s going to be hard to keep her off the field.
Highlights
Next week the Buffs host #12 Michigan State at 7pm Thursday and Air Force Sunday at 1 pm.
Various media after the scrimmage:
Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/8/7/soccer-colorado-handles-business-in-exhibtion-win
"
By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications
BOULDER, Colo. -- Colorado secured a 2-0 victory over Colorado College on Thursday at Prentup Field in exhibition play. The Buffaloes' defense held strong, allowing only one shot on goal over the 90 minutes.
CU exploded with an offensive outburst, firing off 21 shots, eight on target. Both goals were scored in the second half, securing the win.
Junior Hope Leyba and sophomore Riley MacDonald were key contributors for the Buffs, each scoring a goal in their latest match. Leyba led the team with eight total shots and secured the game-winning goal in the 75th minute. MacDonald found the back of the net off a precisely played ball from junior Caley Swierenga. In goal, Jamie Campbell played a crucial role, recording the team's lone save and preserving the shutout.
All 20 available field players and two of the team's three goalkeepers got in on the action on Thursday night.
"The players kind of did what we thought [they would]," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed after the win. "It was good to give everybody a lot of minutes. It would have been nice to get a couple [goals] early to maybe get looks and kind of give and get some different looks as far as what we're doing tactically, but at the end of the day, if we play a game we want to win and we won the game."
...
Up Next
Looking ahead, the Buffs will host No. 12 Michigan State on August 14 at Prentup Field. The match is set for 7 p.m.
"The competition level obviously shoots through the roof," Sanchez noted about Michigan State. "You have a top 12 team in the country and an experienced NCAA Tournament team, so we're going to be sharper. We will need to be more efficient going forward. We're not going to get 21 shots like we did tonight, but like I told the team, I think that the attacks usually take a little bit more time to get going, and I thought we were a little loose defensively as well. But credit to Colorado College. I thought they played well today, stuck to the game plan, and made it difficult for us."
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
"
___________________________________________________________________________
Box score - https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2025/colorado-college/boxscore/17493
Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/8/7/soccer-colorado-handles-business-in-exhibtion-win
"
Colorado Handles Business in Exhibtion Win
The Buffaloes look forward to the home opener on Aug. 14 against Michigan StateBy: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications
BOULDER, Colo. -- Colorado secured a 2-0 victory over Colorado College on Thursday at Prentup Field in exhibition play. The Buffaloes' defense held strong, allowing only one shot on goal over the 90 minutes.
CU exploded with an offensive outburst, firing off 21 shots, eight on target. Both goals were scored in the second half, securing the win.
Junior Hope Leyba and sophomore Riley MacDonald were key contributors for the Buffs, each scoring a goal in their latest match. Leyba led the team with eight total shots and secured the game-winning goal in the 75th minute. MacDonald found the back of the net off a precisely played ball from junior Caley Swierenga. In goal, Jamie Campbell played a crucial role, recording the team's lone save and preserving the shutout.
All 20 available field players and two of the team's three goalkeepers got in on the action on Thursday night.
"The players kind of did what we thought [they would]," head coach Danny Sanchez expressed after the win. "It was good to give everybody a lot of minutes. It would have been nice to get a couple [goals] early to maybe get looks and kind of give and get some different looks as far as what we're doing tactically, but at the end of the day, if we play a game we want to win and we won the game."
...
Up Next
Looking ahead, the Buffs will host No. 12 Michigan State on August 14 at Prentup Field. The match is set for 7 p.m.
"The competition level obviously shoots through the roof," Sanchez noted about Michigan State. "You have a top 12 team in the country and an experienced NCAA Tournament team, so we're going to be sharper. We will need to be more efficient going forward. We're not going to get 21 shots like we did tonight, but like I told the team, I think that the attacks usually take a little bit more time to get going, and I thought we were a little loose defensively as well. But credit to Colorado College. I thought they played well today, stuck to the game plan, and made it difficult for us."
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
"
___________________________________________________________________________
Box score - https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-soccer/stats/2025/colorado-college/boxscore/17493
Just wanted to post yesterday's CU fall media day press conference. The below also includes the volleyball press conference, with soccer's portion going from the beginning through ~ the 16:30 mark. (I'll also be posting the same video in the volleyball thread.)