Jordan Nytes Shares CU Soccer Journey
In 2024, Jordan Nytes (Soc’25, MOrgLead’26) of Aurora, Colorado, became the first All-American goalkeeper for CU. The two-time Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year talks here about leadership, team communication and excitement for the next season.
What about Colorado soccer attracted you when you decided to transfer after a year at Oklahoma State?
I had a connection with [assistant coach and recruiting coordinator] Dave Morgan. That led to the initial conversation with CU. Being closer to my family was a huge part as well. The soccer program is in a great place! Colorado’s facilities are awesome, we got lights at Prentup [Field], and there’s excitement with everything going on with CU Athletics lately. After I visited in December 2022, I was like ‘Let’s do it,’ and it’s been awesome since.
What have been the greatest contributors to your success?
[Associate head coach] Jason Green and I have developed an incredible relationship. We’re comfortable bouncing ideas off each other. It’s not arguing, but if he says something I disagree with, I’ll tell him, and he’ll tell me, too. It’s acknowledging strengths, working on weaknesses, growing every day. CU is a very professional training environment. Our coaches have us mimic professional soccer programs. It also prepares us for when, hopefully, we get to that stage.
You put together 583:33 consecutive shutout minutes in goal in 2024. What’s it like when you’re in a zone like that?
When you have five or six straight shutouts, you’re on a high with your defense. A record like that reflects how we’re defending together. That streak was early in the season, and we knew we’d run into adversity. It’s how the game goes — you will get scored on again. We need to be able to overcome that when it happens.
What communication goes on between you and the defenders?
We’ve been dialing in on being super specific with what we say and how we say it. In a high-intensity game, we have to be okay with being critical, telling teammates what needs to be better. But there are also moments to focus on a positive thing and tell someone: ‘Do that again.’ In terms of strategy, it’s telling people where to shift or where to stand to cover a player. Our coaches help with keeping the backline high and tracking marks. There’s also off-the-field communication in film sessions or when something gets brought up at halftime.
Who are the teammates who have helped support you?
Jamie Campbell (Psych’28) is another goalkeeper and my roommate. We have a positive training environment where we push each other. And Lindsey Smith (Edu’24) was the other goalkeeper who graduated last December. The three of us were a little family. We knew when to joke around and have fun, but also when to focus in practice. We’re really good friends, and that helps off the field. They’ve helped me reach my potential as a player and person.
How is practice different for the goalkeepers?
We do our own warmup and then work through a goalkeeper session. Stretch, ball handling, footwork. Then it depends — shots from distance, reaction saves, breakaways, crosses. We’ll often focus on something specific and then build off it throughout the entire week.
Can you share something you’ve learned from your CU coaches?
They’ve helped to develop me as a leader. The coaching staff has instilled that not everybody’s going to be happy all the time. When you’re in a leadership position, it’s normal for someone to be upset with a decision or something you say. You have to be confident that your decision is in the best interest of the team and keep everybody on the same page.
How do you balance playing aggressively with also being the last line of defense?
It’s situational. Some games, there are a lot of balls to attack out of the air, and with other games you’re more of a calm presence in the back. You need to scout your opponent and prepare. That way, you can let your defense know your anticipated in-game tendencies.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
This year’s team has more new players than returners. It’s exciting to have something new. We can set our own standards. The goal starts with winning the Big 12 championship.
Do you have plans for after CU?
I want to play in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). My coaches will help me go through an agency. I’ll see which teams are interested and hopefully receive a contract. Overseas is another option. I’m looking forward to playing professionally for as long as I can.
Photos courtesy CU Athletics