Looks like very little attrition this off-season as reported in this Daily Camera article. Only one player has opted to transfer out - Maddy Sharrer. This means that CU returns eight starters as well as most of their key substitutes. Two players who were injured for much of the fall, Kenzie Gellispie and Lillian Zamorano, are going to be back with the team next season. The three starters who were seniors this season were Jordan Nytes (GK), Emerson Layne (F, M) and Greer Maguire (CB). The only incoming transfer (thus far) is central defender Emma Thielbahr from DU who was the Summit League defender of the year last season. She’s got one year of eligibility. With eight HS players signing in the fall, it’s likely unlikely there will be many more transfers brought in.
Called in. Locked in. 🇺🇸@hopeleyba45 // #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/Oj6jDj894a— Colorado Buffaloes Soccer (@CUBuffsSoccer) January 15, 2026
SHE’S STAYING HOME 👏Welcome to Summit FC, Jordan! pic.twitter.com/M2nEtPU9ad— Denver Summit FC (@denversummitfc) January 16, 2026
the all-american from Aurora 🤩 pic.twitter.com/EBLWonjdvf— Denver Summit FC (@denversummitfc) January 16, 2026
CU keeper Jordan Nytes will be joining Taylor Flint (nèe) Kornieck as a forever Buffs in the NWSL this season. With the draft eliminated through a collective bargaining agreement, college players have the ability to sort through offers and sign with an NWSL club that is in their best interest. Of course there are professional leagues in other countries to consider as well, but coming out of college the most likely start to a professional career for collegians is in a domestic league. Signed by Denver Summit FC, Nytes currently looks to be the backup to Abby Smith who is an NWSL veteran. It should be noted that Summit is looking to bring in French national team keeper Pauline Camille Peyraud-Magnin who would be the starter, likely moving Nytes to #3 on the depth chart. Nytes signed a one year contract with Summit FC, as did two other collegiate players. So Nytes is going to have a season to prove she is an NWSL caliber keeper, most likely through training sessions. For both Nytes and Summit FC they have the freedom to determine what’s best once the season is over. With two new franchises in the NWSL this season there are around 45 more roster spots available. And with the draft no longer an impediment, Summit FC took advantage by signing six players straight out of college including MAC Hermann award winner Jasmine Aikey from Stanford. Had there been a draft it’s likely that they would have not gotten more than one of their top three college signings. Between college players being free agents and two expansion teams, the chances are increased Hope and Faith Leyba will be pursued by multiple NWSL sides. Should Hope score at roughly the same rate she did last season, she will be attractive to a lot of clubs. With Summit FC in the CU’s backyard they will not only be able to scout her easily, she would be another local signing that would provide a young goal scoring option. Faith may also be in Summit FC’s sights as they don't have young center backs on their roster, so she could be signed with an eye to the future. Looking at the college players signed by Summit FC, both Hope and Faith stack up well talent wise. Both should be in the mix for a roster spot on an NWSL side in a year.
Spring is calling 🌱⚽️#SideBeforeSelf // #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/MdNAxnegyo— Colorado Buffaloes Soccer (@CUBuffsSoccer) January 27, 2026
More for the mantle 🏆@hopeleyba45 // #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/EvlkXcX4Un— Colorado Buffaloes Soccer (@CUBuffsSoccer) January 29, 2026
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 loading… ⏳#SideBeforeSelf // #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/t7ZSuU93ns— Colorado Buffaloes Soccer (@CUBuffsSoccer) February 16, 2026 Quick thoughts on the schedule - hands down, the most challenging non-conference match is Aug. 30 @ Michigan State. Don't know how many players they return, but they have a very good program. CU faced them at home in the first match of the season, drawing 1-1 (and were a bit fortunate too do so) and had their season ended in East Lansing falling 1-2 in the NCAA tourney. Utah State was in the NCAA tourney last season. The conference schedule looks favorable, despite having more road games than home games. CU doesn't play BYU or TCU. They do have to travel to Texas Tech and UCF, but get Baylor at home.
This is great for Hope as the U23 program was started by women's national team head coach Emma Hayes a few years ago to identify and train players that aren't going to get many/any call ups to the full national team but down the road might develop into top level talent. This call up is for a training camp so the next step for Hope would be to make a roster for matches. Continuing on with the Stars & Stripes 🇺🇸@hopeleyba45 // #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/coiYjelpxo— Colorado Buffaloes Soccer (@CUBuffsSoccer) February 18, 2026
3-0 final from Air Force!#SideBeforeSelf // #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/C7ssK8tBEc— Colorado Buffaloes Soccer (@CUBuffsSoccer) February 28, 2026
Everything is coming full circle for Jordan Nytes this season 🥹Catch the full conversation with our rookies on YouTube! pic.twitter.com/Xvp0ZlKG14— Denver Summit FC (@denversummitfc) March 4, 2026