By Brontë Moore
Defender Lilian Zamorano fights for the ball against University of Denver forward Camila Palacios. Prentup Field, Boulder, CO., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Radio 1190/Brontë Moore)
With the fall season underway, The University of Colorado Boulder’s women’s soccer team is celebrating its 30-year anniversary, through a season-long campaign honoring the players and history of this program.
On Sept. 11, 2026, at Prentup Field in Boulder, Colorado, the team had its Inaugural Wall of Honor induction for alumni players at halftime, during its game against the University of Denver.
The players honored included Fran Munnelly, Laura Munnelly, Nikki Marshall and Taylor Kornieck, who played in the early 2000’s and late 2010’s, helping CU appear at its first few NCAA tournaments and strengthen the program.
“It shows the connection that they have with the program and how the coaches still obviously keep in touch with them and are still a part of their lives,” said Ruby Hayward a sophomore who plays for CU’s women soccer team.
Fran Munnelly was the first honored. Her efforts had a foundational impact on the program; she played on the team from 2002-05 as a midfielder and led the CU team to its first-ever NCAA tournament and was named conference Player of the Year in 2003. She joined CU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 and is remembered as a trailblazer who helped transform the team.
Following in Fran’s footsteps, Laura Munnelly, Fran’s younger sister, was honored beside her that night. She played in 2003-06 as a center back and led the program to four consecutive NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 round in 2006, leaving an incredible impact on the team and later joined CU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
Niki Marshall was the next honored alumna; she played in 2006-09 as a forward and is one of CU’s most celebrated players. She was named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and helped CU to a Sweet 16 round in 2006 and two more NCCA tournaments afterwards. After graduating, she helped the United States win the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and made history in 2010 when she was drafted, becoming the program’s first-ever first-round professional draft selection, before finally joining CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.
The final player to be honored was Taylor Kornieck, who played in 2016-19 primarily as a midfielder and is another titled player. She became the first-ever first-team All-American in the program’s history and became the first player in the program to eclipse 100 career points. She helped CU appear in three NCCA tournaments, and after graduating she was called up by the United States Women’s National Team in 2022, playing in the Concacaf Women’s Championship.
Forward Kaia Santomarco-King aims for a pass before University of Denver midfielder Olivia Kroska can take control of the ball. Prentup Field, Boulder, CO., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Radio 1190/Brontë Moore)
After the halftime Wall of Honor induction, the Buffaloes proceeded to achieve their biggest win against the Denver Pioneers by ending the game 6-0, highlighting how far the program has come.
“The alumni said that when they were in our shoes, they didn’t have as big as an opportunity as what we have now. So that was cool to hear that it’s progressed,” said Hayward.
Colorado will play next at UCF Soccer and Track Complex, in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 2, 2026, at 5 p.m., MDT, against the University of Central Florida.
Players Hope Leyba, Ruby Hayward, Reagan Kotschau and Michaela McGowan embrace each other after scoring the CU team’s fourth goal of the night at Prentup Field in Boulder, CO., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Radio 1190/Brontë Moore)