My understanding of the transfer rules (I could be wrong) is that if you play a minimum number of games, you transfer and not lose that year. Anyone feel free to correct me on this.
When Morgan Tuck Shut it down the first month of her sophomore year, think she played 6-7 games, and did not lose that year. If you remember, she returned the following year, then opted to submit for the draft, foregoing her redshirt senior year.
Gordon left during the Christmas break of her sophomore year. She sat out the second half of that season and the first half of the next season, becoming eligible to play on December 18.