Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Buffaloes Soccer Adds Michaela McGowan
May 21, 2026 | Soccer
BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes Soccer program has added transfer Michaela McGowan, who joins the Buffs after one season at Colorado State and two seasons at Denver, coach Danny Sanchez announced Thursday.
A 5-3 midfielder from Broomfield, Colo., McGowan appeared in 18 matches for Colorado State in 2025, helping the Rams to a 12-5-2 record.
"Michaela is a dynamic attacking personality and a great person that will fit in seamlessly into our program, on and off the field," Sanchez said. "We are excited that Michaela is a Buff!"
She led Colorado State with six goals and five assists during the 2025 season, including three goals scored on free kicks. McGowan recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Stetson on Aug. 21.
Prior to Colorado State, McGowan spent two seasons at Denver, where she appeared in 37 career matches. She started 14 matches in 2024 and finished the season with four goals and seven assists, earning All-Summit League Second Team honors.
McGowan played in all 19 matches for Denver in 2024, totaling 1,178 minutes while leading the team in assists (seven), shots (50) and shots on goal (21). She was also named Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week and earned recognition on the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week during the season.
Before beginning her collegiate career, McGowan helped Broomfield High School win the 2021 Colorado state championship and was part of Real Colorado's 2022 ECNL national championship team. She played club soccer for Real Colorado National and Broomfield Blast SC.
McGowan graduated from Broomfield High School in 2023 and plans to major in biological science at Colorado. She is fluent in American Sign Language and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon.
A 5-3 midfielder from Broomfield, Colo., McGowan appeared in 18 matches for Colorado State in 2025, helping the Rams to a 12-5-2 record.
"Michaela is a dynamic attacking personality and a great person that will fit in seamlessly into our program, on and off the field," Sanchez said. "We are excited that Michaela is a Buff!"
She led Colorado State with six goals and five assists during the 2025 season, including three goals scored on free kicks. McGowan recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Stetson on Aug. 21.
Prior to Colorado State, McGowan spent two seasons at Denver, where she appeared in 37 career matches. She started 14 matches in 2024 and finished the season with four goals and seven assists, earning All-Summit League Second Team honors.
McGowan played in all 19 matches for Denver in 2024, totaling 1,178 minutes while leading the team in assists (seven), shots (50) and shots on goal (21). She was also named Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week and earned recognition on the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week during the season.
Before beginning her collegiate career, McGowan helped Broomfield High School win the 2021 Colorado state championship and was part of Real Colorado's 2022 ECNL national championship team. She played club soccer for Real Colorado National and Broomfield Blast SC.
McGowan graduated from Broomfield High School in 2023 and plans to major in biological science at Colorado. She is fluent in American Sign Language and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon.
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