Colorado University Athletics
Marshall Returns To CU As Assistant Coach
March 29, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER – University of Colorado soccer coach Danny Sanchez announced that CU alumna Nikki Marshall will join the Buffaloes as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2016 season. Marshall is CU's all-time leader in scoring and enjoyed a five-year professional playing career after graduation.
“We are very excited that Nikki has become a part of our staff,” Sanchez said. “She is passionate about CU and our soccer program. As our most decorated soccer alum, Nikki will be able to give our student-athletes a unique insight on what it takes to compete for and win championships.”
Marshall played four seasons at Colorado (2006-09), amassing 42 goals and nine assists for 93 points. She holds the career records for goals and points, as well as shot attempts (261), game-winning goals (18) and goals per game (0.49). She was a first-team Freshman All-American in 2006 and was a four-time first-team all-Big 12 performer. Marshall led the Buffaloes to one of the best four-year periods in school history as CU amassed a 47-29-12 record during her four seasons. As a freshman in 2006, she led the Buffs to the third round of the NCAA Tournament with school records of 17 goals and 37 points, including seven game-winners. She also led the Buffs to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2007 and 2008.
Marshall graduated from CU in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.
“I could not be more excited that Danny and his staff have invited me to be part of this program,” Marshall said. “CU has been a colossal piece of my journey as a player and a human being. I am looking forward to giving back to a program that has given me so much.”
Following her time at CU, she achieved a five-year professional playing career. Marshall was the seventh overall draft selection in the Women's Professional Soccer league in 2010 by the Washington Freedom. She started all 24 matches in 2010 and had three goals as a defender. After the team relocated to Florida and eight appearances in 2011, she was traded to the Boston Breakers midseason.
In 2013, she signed with Portland Thorns FC for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League and started all 22 matches, leading the team to a league championship. She led Thorns FC to a semifinals appearance in 2014 after starting all 24 matches. She suffered a torn ACL in August 2014 and retired in February 2015.
Marshall also saw action for the United States in international competition for the U-20 team in 2007 and 2008, and the U-23 team in 2009. She was one of two members of the 2008 squad to play every minute of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile, leading the U.S. to a championship.
