Colorado University Athletics
Soccer Ready To Roll In 2026
July 24, 2026 | Soccer
BOULDER – Coming off a record-setting 2025 season, the Colorado soccer team is ready to roll into 2026.
The Buffaloes won a school-record 17 games last season, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 round for the third time in team history (17-4-3). Colorado finished third in the Big 12 at 8-1-2, its best conference finish in nearly a decade.
With the page officially turned to 2026, Colorado head coach Danny Sanchez and his Buffaloes began ramping up activity this week, gearing up for another memorable run.
"It's been great to have this acclimation period to kind of ease the players in a preseason when we usually have to hit the ground going a million miles an hour," Sanchez said. "I think they'll be more prepared when we start matches. Really pleased how they came in, their fitness level, their focus and dedication. You can see the work they put in this summer and we're excited to get to next week when camp officially opens."
Colorado officially opens fall camp on Wednesday, July 29. The following week, the Buffaloes will venture to the Western Slope for a preseason training trip which culminates with a scrimmage against Big 12 Conference rival Utah on the campus of Colorado Mesa, Wednesday, Aug. 5. The Buffaloes and Utes aren't scheduled to meet during the regular season.
Colorado has a solid foundation returning from last season, anchored by the program's All-American twins in Hope Leyba and Faith Leyba. The Buffaloes bring back four of their top five scorers from last season in senior midfielder Reagan Kotschau, All-Big 12 forward Jace Holley along with the Leyba twins.
Even with that experience returning, Colorado welcomes in 14 newcomers, including 10 freshmen.
"It's about the players getting to know each other, getting them to gel a little bit," Sanchez said. "We'll start putting in some plans and roles, kind of what our big picture will look like. But right now, it's just about getting comfortable with each other."
The biggest role to be determined is arguably replacing All-American goaltender Jordan Nytes, who capped off her collegiate career in 2025. Junior Jamie Campbell is Colorado's lone returner at that position, having made a couple of spot appearances the last two years. The Buffaloes bring in junior Madeline Mueller, a transfer from Texas Tech, along with freshman Brooke Goerish to fill those shoes left behind by Nytes.
"It's early," Sanchez said. "Maddie just got here so this is our first look at her, but we're pleased what we've seen from her so far in the first week. Jamie and Brooke both had very good Springs. The competition is wide open and my guess it will be a competition that trickles into the season unless someone really separates themselves. They'll all have plenty of opportunities."
Colorado will open the regular season by hosting Colorado State on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m., at Prentup Field.
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
