Sophia is a dynamic forward and team captain who leads through both her performance and example. She combines pace, intelligence, and relentless work rate to consistently create scoring opportunities while setting the standard for her teammates. A natural attacking player, Sophia is dangerous in and around the penalty area with her ability to finish, press defenders, and make intelligent runs behind the back line.

Mila is an elite competitor and brings an intensity and work rate to the field that is as good as I’ve ever seen. Her ability to defend 1v1 and determination to win every dual and make every recovery run is phenomenal. She is also one of the most dangerous backs we’ve had with her ability to join the attack.

I am most excited about the mix of players that we will have on our team this season. I love our Senior group, they bring a great level of positiveness, yet they will demand that we work hard this season. Furthermore, our young players have all been playing this summer and their energy and fight will hopefully push our team to the limits! I anticipate this group being quite successful and both on and off the field this season!

Madelyn is an extremely explosive player and has an excellent ability to score goals! In addition, her ability to get in behind defenses to get services off and into dangerous areas may be her greatest strength! She is completely committed to team and I am confident that she will rise this season to greatness!!! I believe that Madelyn will be sensational this season!

Ashlyn is an incredibly steady player. She possesses the ability to change her pace to close down her opponents as well as the patience to stand a player up and tackle with toughness and grit! Our team will be leaning on her experience this season as she will be anchoring our defense and commanding our play from the back. I am expecting huge things from Ashlyn this season!

I think what excites me most about this years teams is the togetherness that they share. We had a great spring together and the group really bonded and created both an identity and a hunger. They are ready to lead and welcome our very talented freshmen in. I think the combination of our leadership, youth & talent is a great recipe and I'm excited to see how it is lived out this fall both on and off the field.

Maddie lives out the values of our program as well as anyone on our roster. When she plays you can see how much she loves the game and her teammates. She makes an investment in every training session which pushes her teammates and has allowed her to grow and develop. She's an incredible athlete who puts a lot of pressure on defensives and allows us to play off of her.

Ella is a gritty player with a big heart who's work-rate is second to none. She breaks up passing lanes with exquisite timing, always one step ahead of the attack: she tracks back to make game saving tackles when a teammate or line has been broken. She's the windshield wiper for our backline and the starting block for our attack. She has the technical ability to both help us build out of the back or bypass the midfield.

This group has a great blend of returning experience and talented newcomers who are eager to compete and continue raising the standard of our program. Our players have embraced the challenge of improving every day. They are committed to the process, willing to work hard for one another, and have created a culture built on accountability, resilience, and teamwork. Those qualities give us a strong foundation heading into the season. I'm also excited about our depth and competitiveness. Every training session will push players to improve, and that internal competition will make us better when we step onto the field this Fall.

Sophia is a dynamic forward and team captain who leads through both her performance and example. She combines pace, intelligence, and relentless work rate to consistently create scoring opportunities while setting the standard for her teammates. A natural attacking player, Sophia is dangerous in and around the penalty area with her ability to finish, press defenders, and make intelligent runs behind the back line.

Maddison Balashaitis is a composed, athletic central defender who has the tools to excel in a possession-based system. She combines strong defensive instincts with the confidence to play out of the back, making her effective both as a ball winner and as the first player in the attack.

We are really excited to get started again this year. Having experienced our first full season at the Division II level last year, we feel like the girls are ready to go and hit the ground running this year. We have a good mix of returning and incoming players, and I think that they will gel really well together and have a season to remember.

Vega has been an important player for us for the past three years, and we are expecting her to have her best season yet for her senior year. Coming from Pamplona, Spain, Vega adds some flair to our attack and is really dangerous with the ball at her feet. She is extremely competitive and always gives her best on the field. Whether she is scoring goals or creating chances for others, Vega is a handful for defenders on game day.

Kyah is one of the most hard-working, determined players we have ever had the pleasure of coaching. No matter how the game is going, whether we are up, down, five mins left, thirty mins left, Kyah will still play with absolute intensity and determination. She acts as a rock at the back and calms us down in possession when we need to slow it down. We think she will have a big year this year.

What excites me most about this year’s team is the combination of experience, fresh energy and genuine belief within the group. They are competitive, hardworking and willing to hold one another accountable, but they also truly enjoy being together. There is a shared hunger to grow and accomplish something meaningful, and I believe this group has the talent, grit and togetherness to make this season great!

Polanco is an exciting player to watch because of the confidence, creativity and competitive edge she brings every day. She is fearless with the ball, embraces challenges and has the ability to create something special in the attacking third. Beyond her talent, Dina is a humble, driven teammate who genuinely cares about the people around her. Her international experience with Guatemala has continued to strengthen her maturity and composure, and we are excited to see her take another step forward this season.

Chloe is the type of defender who brings composure, toughness and consistency to everything she does. As one of our captains, she leads through her communication, work ethic and commitment to doing the details that make the entire group better. Chloe reads the game exceptionally well and brings a calm, dependable presence that her teammates trust. She is a fierce competitor who takes tremendous pride in defending and representing University of Mary Soccer, and we are excited to watch her continue to grow this season.

We have a lot of returners this year that understand what we are working on as a team. We have also added some players that we believe fit our needs and will help us elevate the level of play. It is exciting to see how we build on the previous season going into year 2 of a new staff and a new way of playing.

Kedin is a special player who can make things happen in attack. She is dynamic with the ball at her feet and her skills can create openings for us in the final third. She has overcome past injuries to be on the field more than ever.

Emmah is one of our senior captains and a true leader for our team. She is a hard working player who pushes through hurdles to be on the field every game. She sets the tone in the locker room and on the field. Emmah anchors our midfield and controls the game for us.

This year's team is very hungry after missing out on the playoffs by two points last year. Their excitement to earn a playoff spot is noticeable. Their effort and commitment to improve has been very noticeable in the off-season. A large, experienced JR class supports a smaller but solid SR class, well. We have emerging SO's that will contribute, too. I expect us to be a difficult team to win points from, at home and on the road.

Jessica's a three-time NSIC All Conference Second Teamer. Jessica gains the attention of opponents because her high compete level, work rate, and attacking threat. As a team captain for the second year, her play is representative of our collective effort. She can play well in space behind the frontline but is most comfortable and threatening as a winger. She has a super work ethic in training, raising the team level, and always with a smile.

Kailey has been a regular starter since the first week of her first season. Reliability and consistency are her hallmark qualities. From that foundation, she delivers exactly what you want from your backs; gritty compete level, good choices on the ball, and leadership. Kailey is a natural leader in the group and has been named a Captain this year. Her approach and daily effort are evident to her team mates and she 's an excellent representative of UMD Soccer.

This years team will have what I believe is the perfect combination of veteran experience and youthfulness that is eager to make its mark. I also think it’s a group that is excited about coming together to do something really special. I’m confident in our leadership core and I think this group overall has the potential to be as deep and as talented as we’ve ever been.

Maddix is as explosive and creative as they come. She has the ability to change a game in the blink of an eye. In addition, she is a perfect example of a two way player that is committed to maintaining an immense work rate on both sides of the ball. She is also an incredible competitor with an intense will to win.

Mila is an elite competitor and brings an intensity and work rate to the field that is as good as I’ve ever seen. Her ability to defend 1v1 and determination to win every dual and make every recovery run is phenomenal. She is also one of the most dangerous backs we’ve had with her ability to join the attack.

Moving on from a large graduating class last year, there are 14 new faces arriving in Moorhead. A lot rides on the new freshmen to get settled and start contributing. There’s a huge upside to come from these players joining the returning core and creating new energy that will push the Dragons to be more competitive in the Northern Sun. Team, togetherness and determination is at an all-time high.

Mary was an ever-present starting player for the Dragon as a sophomore. Moving into her junior year she was unanimously voted in as a team captain. Mary’s energy and enthusiasm for the game is infectious and she pushes those around her to get better. She raises the standards in everything she does while finding time for compassion and encouragement. Mary provides offensive and defensive support in her role as a box-to-box midfielder that is a cornerstone of Dragon soccer’s creative passing game.

Lizzy is a leader on and off the field. Her attitude and focus exemplify Dragon soccer spirit. She has been a constant defensive piece for MSUM. As a redshirt senior, Lizzy brings experience from Division I and II to help Dragon soccer defensively. Her personal standards raise competition around her as she challenges every teammate in every session to get better.

This year, as a program, we are passionate about building on last season and competing every match. We have some great players returning and are excited for the new transfers and freshmen to come in and work hard and grow together as a group. We have high expectations for ourselves on and off the field and look to prove that every training session, class, and game.

Linnea is the definition of hard work. She spent last season recovering from an ACL injury, but that didn't stop her from being a major part of the team. Linnea always gives her best on and off the field and has put so much time in over the years. I'm excited to see her back on the field in her last season at Minot State.

Brittney has been a hard worker from day one of getting to Minot. She transferred from Casper College, where she was a regular starter in the backline. Brittney gives her best each and every day in training. She is consistent on the field and in the classroom. As a captain this year, she will continue to be a great example for her teammates.

I'm excited about the group dynamic we have this season. We return a group who dealt with a variety of adversity and came out the other side of those difficulties in a better place. They set a bar of expectation that should propel us into a solid start in 2026. We have a good number of players who either grew into new roles last season, or grew in their maturity at an established role. Combine these attributes with a good incoming class who will want to prove themselves, and we should have a great daily environment to get the best out of ourselves. In the end, if we can work towards our goals on a daily basis, then we will find ourselves in a good place at the end of the season.

Chloe is a tremendous leader for Northern State Soccer both on and off the field. She cares deeply about performing her best, and has extended that mindset into conducting undergraduate research to understand athletic performance more in depth. Chloe is a very dependable person and takes pride in representing the program. On the field, she will set the tone for our training environment, sets a high bar in any activity we do, and ultimately gives everything she has to support the team. She plays hard on both the attack and defense, which is a critical piece to a successful team. Her play shows others that there isn't a piece of the game that should be given less than your best.

Lauren is the glue of our program. She works hard to develop great connections within the team, and is excellent at getting the best out of her teammate. Because of her influence on the field, we are able to navigate difficult or uncertain times well. Whether we experience change due to injury, or the game calls for something different. Lauren's connection with the team allows her to organize the group and keep a high standard of execution on the field. Her impact on the game is felt in all phases of the game. She can be a key player in regaining possession of the ball, or Lauren can spearhead the attack and even finds herself in positions to finish the ball. Lauren has continued to grow in her time, and this season will be further evidence of her growth and impact on Northern State Soccer.

The team is motivated to move the needle of the program. Our success will be determined by how we connect off the field and stick together in tough moments. Our players embrace change and I am very thankful for the team returning.

Addison is ready to make the jump to be the best goal scorer in the league. She worked on a bunch of finishing over the summer. It's just a matter of Addie getting in the right spots at the right times. If teams focus on her, she will still find a way to impact the game and help her teammates.

Mara led the team in minutes last season and the team trusts her in the back to make decisions. She was voted captain because of her consistency, example, and leadership. Mara does a lot of content creation for the social media and puts in more work off the field than most student athletes.

SMSU Women's soccer team preparation for fall began in the Spring. Majority of our athletes had the opportunity to compete in different competitive soccer environment throughout the summer, for which will surely assist with their overall readiness for the fall. Just by having conversations with our athletes, I know that our young women are very eager to show their development. This group of young women is very optimistic and ready to compete. This group of young women is committed and ready to uphold our core values.

We are expecting a standout year for Jada. Her demeanor is characterized by a calmness, unwavering respect and trustworthiness. We are very excited to see her growth, relentlessness, and overall her dominance in the fall. What we admire most about Jada is her willingness to overcome challenges for which exemplifies her mental growth mindset. There's absolutely no doubt that Jada will be very instrumental in helping our program reach greater heights.

I must say, it's been a great privilege being part of Sophia's student athlete career at SMSU. We are very grateful for her contribution and perspective on our team. Sophia experience will be very vital for our team in the fall. She is very competitive, passionate and holds herself and teammates accountable to the highest standards. We are truly excited for her to flourish this fall and beyond in every aspect of her life.

I am excited for the opportunity to build on the success this team has already achieved. Having had a short window to work with the team this past spring, I was quickly impressed by the group’s willingness to learn, embrace new ideas, and apply them both in training and in games. Their eagerness to learn and absorb new information helped us develop a strong team mentality and laid a great foundation heading into the fall. We are excited to build on that foundation, continue growing together, and hit the ground running as we compete at a high level.

Linsey is primed for a standout year. She has worked to become a leader both on and off the field. She knows when her teammates look for her guidance and she is able to understand what they need. We are a lucky group to have her as a member of our program.

Izzy is the backbone of this team. She has a unique understanding of who she is as a player, person and teammate. Her teammates look to her to in all aspects of the team environment. Her leadership is unrivaled and brings a special relationship to each member of this team.

We start this season with new energy around our program. Our returning student-athletes have set a foundation, and our new student-athletes bring an excitement to them that I believe will continue to push our program forward. I am looking forward to seeing our team compete this fall as they learn and grow together as a group.

Morgan enters this season as a key offensive presence. Her work rate, eye for the goal, and ability to score in key moments will continue to help elevate our final third presence as a team. We are looking forward to her continuing to grow as a leader and contributor to our program this season.

Tyler is coming off an excellent 2025 season where she was a key contributor to our defense. Her work ethic, passion, grit, and willingness to compete each day have been great attributes to our team. She has grown every year since being apart of our program and we look forward to seeing her continue to be a leader this fall.

What excites me most about this team is the blend of experience and hunger we have heading into the season. We return key pieces on both sides of the ball, and we have already seen the leadership taking shape. This group has bought into raising the standard for what we expect from ourselves day to day. We're a team that's hungry to compete for a conference title, and I love the energy we're bringing into the fall.

Kyleigh is exactly the kind of player you want anchoring your midfield. She earned Second Team All-Conference honors last year, but what impresses me even more is her work rate and consistency — she started 16 of our 17 games and never took a shift off. She's also a great example of what we want in this program academically, with her All-Academic honors. She's a total package player for us.

Annika is a defender in every sense — tough, smart, and completely unselfish. She's the kind of player who does the hard, unglamorous work that doesn't always show up in a highlight reel but wins you games. She's also grown into a real leader for us, and her teammates respect how consistent she is, day in and day out.