A historic season
The Colorado women's soccer squad capped the 2025 campaign with a 17‑4‑3 record, shattering the program's win total and securing a third straight berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Buffs rode that momentum to a Sweet 16 appearance, the first since 2013, and set new marks for goals, assists and points, finishing the season with 59 goals and a 2.46 goals‑per‑game average.
Returning firepower
Among the returning stars, Hope Leyba will look to build on her record‑breaking 22 goals, while Jace Holley, who contributed 12 scores last year, is expected to feature prominently again. Regan Kotschau, who added seven goals and six assists, also returns, giving the midfield a creative spark. New arrivals Berkley Mensik and Michaela McGowan, acquired through the transfer portal, are slated to bolster the forward line and add depth. The departure of Emerson Layne to graduation and Ava Priest to a transfer at UCLA clears space for players like Madeline Mueller and Brooke Goerish to step into larger roles.
Fortifying the backline
Defensively, Faith Leyba anchors a line that many analysts consider among the nation's best. She will be joined by Jordan Whiteaker and Caley Swierenga, both of whom return after injury setbacks, and the fresh faces of Lilian Zamorano and Kenzi Gillispie, who are expected to provide additional stability. The competition for minutes in goal is also shaping up, with Jordan Nytes and Jamie Campbell vying for the starting spot.
Looking ahead to 2026
Coach Sanchez has emphasized that the team's versatility will be its greatest asset, allowing tactical flexibility against a variety of opponents. With a schedule that includes marquee matchups against Notre Dame, Colorado State and UCLA, the Buffs are positioned to defend their recent successes and push for deeper tournament runs. The blend of experience, talent acquisition and defensive solidity suggests that the program is on the cusp of another historic season.