Soccer Wraps Up Successful Spring

BOULDER – Colorado soccer concluded its spring season with a successful defense of the Colorado Cup, its fourth straight win in the battle of front-range schools.

CU was without the familiar faces from years past with the departure of Shyra James, the program's all-time leading goal scorer, and two-year captain Rachel Rosen. The Buffaloes were minus 12 players in total from the fall roster, which helped CU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.

"We lost some very good seniors, some key players, our all-time leading scorer, a two-time captain, and some other players that really had an impact for us," head coach Danny Sanchez explained. "I think this is just college athletics these days. You have to continue to reinvent yourself. It was key for these transfers to get in and quickly acclimate themselves to our program, and I thought they did a good job. I don't think we missed a beat. This spring may have even been more important than our previous springs because of the number of new players that we had. We've played a very competitive schedule and finished with a nice weekend at the Colorado Cup. We couldn't be more excited for the start of the fall season."

Colorado played Air Force, Colorado State, BYU, and local club Albion SC this spring, outscoring those five sides 9-4. The Buffs also played a tightly contested match against Calgary Wild FC, a professional side in the newly formed Northern Super League. Colorado then ran through UCCS, Colorado College and Denver to win its ninth Colorado Cup.

Head coach Danny Sanchez added six new players to the roster since CU's season ended at Wake Forest in November. Five of the team's six transfers were able to train and contribute with the Buffs this spring, getting a chance to mesh with the team's 12 returning players.

"I think it was a very productive spring," Sanchez commented. "Bringing in the transfers, with only 12 returning players, there would be some bumps. I felt the team really gelled and bought into our culture of Colorado soccer early on. We couldn't be more pleased with how the spring went."

Of the team's transfers, Thornton, Colo., native, Reagan Kotschau, found the back of the net on multiple occasions this spring and earned herself a call-up to the USWYNT U20 training camp.

Several incumbent Buffs also continued to impress this spring.

"I was really pleased with all the transfers," Sanchez added. "I think they all have an opportunity to make an impact for the team. The players that were very good for us last fall, Faith, Hope, Jordi and Ava, were all fantastic this spring.

"We feel like two players who really upped their game this spring were Emerson Layne and Jace Holley," Sanchez continued. "They both had a great spring. We feel they both are going to really break out next fall."

Colorado now breaks for the summer and will regroup in Boulder in late July to officially start the 2025 season. Incoming freshmen Ruby Hayward (Mesa, Ariz.), Maddie Sharrer (Pearl City, Hawaii), Viviana Zacarias (Lynwood, Calif.), Sophia Zboyan (San Diego, Calif.) and Chloe Zipprich (Evanston, Ill.) will all join the mix in the fall.

"We're excited to get our freshmen in this summer," Sanchez noted. "Along with most likely a couple more transfers, so at the end of the day, over half the team will be new next fall. It was key to build some momentum this spring, but there will be a lot more competition as we get into July."

Colorado opens the 2025 season with an exhibition match against Colorado College on Aug. 7. The team's home-opener will be on Aug. 14 against Michigan State.

Players Mentioned

Jace Holley

Shyra James

Reagan Kotschau

Emerson Layne

Rachel Rosen

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