The latest additions will bring collegiate experience as well as a little more international experience to the Colorado women’s soccer team.

Last week, head coach Danny Sanchez announced two more offseason signees for the Buffaloes, welcoming Kansas State transfer Kenzi Gillispie and German defender Lilian Zamorano to the CU program.

Gillispie brings a wealth of experience to the Buffs’ defensive mix, as well as a familiarity with the Big 12 Conference.

Gillispie was a four-year player at Kansas State who played in all 63 games for the Wildcats from the start of her freshman season in 2021 through the eighth game of last season, when she suffered a season-ending injury against her future teammates from Colorado.

For a K-State program that began play in 2016, Gillispie is tied for seventh in games played and ranks second in starts (62). Her 1,666 minutes played during her sophomore season of 2022 is a team record.

While Gillispie’s season ended early last fall, her eight games played still was above the threshold for receiving another season of eligibility via a medical hardship.

However, Gillispie won an appeal with the NCAA for a fifth and final season of eligibility, and a coaching change at Kansas State helped steer the veteran defender toward the transfer portal.

Gillispie is the sixth offseason transfer addition for the Buffs, a group that includes defender Jordan Whiteaker (TCU); forward Riley MacDonald (LSU); defender Caley Swierenga (LSU); midfielder Lexi Meyer (Alabama); and midfielder Reagan Kotschau (Washington State).

Kotschau (Broomfield), MacDonald (Mountain Vista), Meyer (Highlands Ranch/Regis Jesuit), Swierenga (Lutheran), and Whiteaker (Dakota Ridge) all are former Colorado prep stars returning to their home state.

Zamorano, a freshman, owns extensive club experience in Germany and was invited to her country’s U17 National Team training camp in 2021.

She will be the third German player in CU’s history, joining Hannah Scheid (2016-17) and Jenny Beyer (2020-24).

Gillispie and Zamorano join a defensive group led by goalie Jordan Nytes and first team All-Big 12 selection Faith Leyba, but must replace two regular starters lost to graduation in Rachel Rosen and Phoenix Dawn Miranda.

“Kenzi is a great addition to our 2025 squad,” Sanchez said in a release. “She has tremendous experience as a three-year starter in the Big 12 Conference. With us losing numerous backs to graduation after last season, Kenzi has the opportunity to come in and make a real impact.

“(Zamorano) can play anywhere along the backline or in a deep-lying spot in the midfield. We are excited that Lilian will be joining us this summer.”

The CU women’s soccer team opens preseason practice on July 29 and opens the 2025 season at home on Aug. 14 against Michigan State.

Notable

Two CU athletes qualified for next week’s NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, Ore. — Kole Mathison (steeplechase) and Nick Bianco (decathlon). The meet begins June 11, with Mathison’s steeplechase semifinal set for 5:38 p.m. MT on opening day. … The CU women’s soccer team will host Colorado College for an exhibition match on Aug. 7. … Two former CU soccer players who hit the transfer portal after last season found new homes, with Claire Curran landing at Oklahoma and Angelina Moschetti transferring to Baylor, which hosts CU on Oct. 5.