DENVER – Incoming University of Denver women's soccer player and freshman Reese Morgan was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Colorado Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
 
Morgan – a midfielder from Loveland, Colorado – led Fossil Ridge High School to the Colorado 5A state title, scoring the game winner in overtime of the championship match on May 20. The team's successful defense of their state title capped a 13-1-1 overall record for the year. Morgan also scored an overtime winner in the semifinals to send her team to the final.
 
In total, Morgan finished with seven goals and nine assists during her final high school season. She was named the 2025-26 CHSAA 5A State Player of the Year and picked up All-State first-team honors for a second consecutive season.
 
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Morgan's academic success and dedication to supporting her local community through volunteering efforts helped her secure the prestigious award.
 
Morgan is the first Denver women's soccer player to be named a state Gatorade Player of the Year and is the first University of Denver student-athlete in any sport to do so since Jordan Jones (women's basketball, 2022).
 
Among Morgan's fellow Gatorade Colorado Girls Soccer Players of the Year are Mallory (Pugh) Swanson (2014-15 and eventual national winner) and Janine (Beckie) Solis (2011-12).
 
The Gatorade Player of the Year is considered the top honor in high school sports. The program recognizes one winner from each state and Washington, D.C., across 12 sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track and field. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each sport, as determined by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee.
 
Morgan will be one of 10 newcomers to the DU roster – and one of six first-year student-athletes – in the fall of 2026. She is one of three Colorado players in Denver's incoming freshman class and will be one of 12 overall on the roster.
 
The University of Denver women's soccer team joins the entire Denver Athletics department in preparing to make its official transition to the West Coast Conference on July 1. Denver has been a member of the Summit League since 2013-14, during which the women's soccer program won four league tournament titles and nine regular-season titles – including last season.
 
Morgan and the Pioneers will begin their 2026 campaign on August 13 at Northern Colorado before hosting DU's home opener on August 27 against Colorado College. Denver's West Coast Conference debut is set for September 26 against Saint Mary's at University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
 
TICKETS:
Season tickets for the 2026 Denver women's soccer season are now on sale and available for purchase online, by calling 303-871-4625 or by visiting the Ritchie Center Box Office.