Joss Orejel

Kansas State

Sep 18 (Thu)

7 p.m.

Photo by: Brendan Maloney

Photo by: Mike Greening

Photo by: Mike Greening

Photo by: Grey Gibbs

Photo by: Mike Greening

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

Position:
Defender
Height:
6-0
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Tustin, Calif.
High School:
Tustin

2012 Under-17 Mexico Women’s National Team
2015 Under-20 Mexico Women’s National Team
2017 USC second-team All-West Region

CAREER: Orejel finished her four-year career tied for fifth all-time with 14 assists, the most ever for a CU defender. Her 0.20 assists per game also ranked seventh.

SENIOR (2017): Orejel was key in leading CU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and break school records for shutouts (14) and goals-against average (0.61). She was named United Soccer Coaches second-team All-West Region after starting 21 matches at left back. She finished the year with a goal and five assists for seven points and had six shot attempts. The Buffs had a 0.68 GAA and outscored opponents 30-14 in the 1,845 minutes she was on the field during the year, the fourth-most minutes played on the team. Orejel played 90 or more minutes 12 times, emerging as one of the most consistent players on the team. She earned assists in back-to-back wins over TCU and UC Riverside in August, leading the Buffs to a 1-0 win over TCU and a 6-0 win vs. UCR. Orejel scored her second career goal in a 6-1 win at Denver on Sept. 16 and also had two assists in that match for a career-high four points. Her final assist of the season came in a 2-0 win at Oregon on Oct. 29.

JUNIOR (2016): Orejel was a big part of CU reaching the NCAA Tournament and finishing second in the Pac-12. She started 12 of 17 matches at left-outside back. She had two assists and attempted 11 shots, including one on goal. She started the first 12 matches of the year before missing five with a knee injury. She returned prior to the end of conference play and saw action in the final five matches of the year, including both NCAA Tournament matches. She had her first assist of the season in a 4-1 win over Iowa on Sept. 1. She added another assist in a 1-1 draw with No. 23 Utah on Nov. 4. For the year, she played in 1,171 minutes, leading the team to a 0.85 goals-against average when she was on the field, outscoring opponents 21-11 during that time. She saw action in at least 80 minutes eight times, including 90 at Missouri and 91 minutes of an overtime win against Denver.

SOPHOMORE (2015): Orejel emerged as a defensive leader in her second season with the Buffs, starting 17 matches as a left-outside defender. She scored one goal and had four assists, while the team had a 1.49 goals-against average while she was on the field in 1,388 minutes. She also attempted 14 shots, including five on goal. She helped the team to a 3-0 win over Colorado College on Aug. 23 with an assist in 63 minutes on the pitch. Orejel scored her only goal of the season on Aug. 30 in a 4-0 win over New Mexico. She was key to a 2-1 overtime win over No. 14 California on Sept. 27 as her corner kick found Emily Paxton for the game-winning goal in the 106th minute. Her corner kick against No. 19 Washington in the 58th minute led to Heather Ward’s game-tying goal in a 1-1 draw with the Huskies at Prentup Field. Her final assist of the year came at UCLA in a 2-1 loss.

FRESHMAN (2014): In her first season, Orejel played in 14 matches and led all freshmen making seven starts, four against non-conference opponents and three in conference play. She also led the freshmen class in playing time as she was on the pitch for a total of 661 minutes. Orejel was third on the team with three assists and as a member of the backline, she helped the defense tally six of the team’s program record-tying 12 shutouts for season. Orejel also put three of her five shots on frame.

HIGH SCHOOL: Orejel’s focus on club play during her prep career helped her gain major attention. Under Coach Randy Dodge, Orejel and the So Cal Blues were three-time league champions and won back-to-back Surf College Cup Championships and the 2011 State Championship. Orejel was named to the state Olympic Development Program team in 2011. As a member of the Under-17 Mexican Women’s National Team, she played in the 2012 World Cup. Orejel has a four-star rating on Top Drawer Soccer, coming in as her region’s 27th ranked player.

IN THE CLASSROOM: Orejel is majoring in advertising with a minor in Spanish.

PERSONAL: Jocelyn Marie Orejel was born on November 14, 1996 to parents Rudy and Rosie Orejel. She has two younger siblings, Justin and Gisselle. Her nickname is Joss. She’s bilingual and traveled all around the world before the age of 16. After graduation, Orejel wants to start her own business. She is the first of her family to attend college and chose Colorado because this is a place she could see herself being for the next four years and beyond.