Beefed-up roster
15 frosh join NMU women’s soccer for 36-strong roster
Northern Michigan University’s Madalyn Nissen, No. 19 at far left, runs to the Wildcats’ bench to celebrate her goal as her teammates wait to congratulate her during a GLIAC women’s soccer game played against Wisconsin-Parkside at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Nov. 2. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)
Northern Michigan University’s Madison Bilbia, right, keeps the ball in bounds against the challenge of St. Cloud State’s Izzy Halunen during their college women’s soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)
Northern Michigan University’s Madalyn Nissen, No. 19 at far left, runs to the Wildcats’ bench to celebrate her goal as her teammates wait to congratulate her during a GLIAC women’s soccer game played against Wisconsin-Parkside at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Nov. 2. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)
Northern Michigan University’s Madison Bilbia, right, keeps the ball in bounds against the challenge of St. Cloud State’s Izzy Halunen during their college women’s soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)
Trending
MARQUETTE -- The women's soccer team at Northern Michigan University will have a beefed-up roster for head coach Erin Egolf's second season at the helm this fall.
A group of 15 freshmen join the Wildcats to currently swell the roster to 36 players after Northern posted records last fall of 7-8-5 overall and 6-6-2 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
NMU finished fifth during the conference regular season before dispatching No. 4 seed Ferris State 2-0 in Big Rapids to open the GLIAC Tournament, then falling 4-0 to national top-10 and No. 1 seed Grand Valley State in the semifinals.
This freshmen class includes six forwards, six defenders and three midfielders with no goalkeepers as the team already boasts three players who play that key position directly in front of the net.
With all 15 recruits from seven states in the U.S., Michigan not surprisingly is the most represented with five players, while four hail from Illinois, two from Wisconsin and one each from Iowa, Florida, Nevada and Washington.
"We are so thrilled to welcome this group to our program," Egolf said in an NMU Sports Information news release announcing the group. "Bringing in 15 players from seven different states adds an awesome mix of backgrounds and elite club experience to our team.
"Our goal is to consistently compete for conference championships -- we have to bring in talented, hard-working players who are going to elevate the competitive environment immediately.
"Our expectations of this incoming group are high, and we are eager to get them out on the field. We were intentional with this class, making sure we covered every outfield position to enhance our level and depth.
"But we spent just as much time making sure we got the 'people' part right. Beyond what they can do from a soccer perspective, these girls have the character, work ethic and personality that fit perfectly into our established culture.
"I'm so happy with this 2026 class. Combining their energy and ability with our strong group of returners is going to be incredibly exciting. We can't wait to get them on campus and watch them make their mark!"
NMU opens the fall campaign actually just over a month before the official onset of autumn. There will be preseason games at Concordia of Wisconsin on Aug. 20, at the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Aug. 22 and a home game vs. Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Monday, Aug. 24, at 4:30 p.m. at the NMU Soccer Field.
The regular season opens at home just a few days later, vs. St. Cloud State at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, followed by another home encounter vs. Minnesota-Duluth at noon on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The first of 14 consecutive GLIAC games will also be at home against national powerhouse Grand Valley at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, followed two days later by a home encounter vs. Saginaw Valley State at noon on Sunday, Sept. 13.
The regular season runs through Halloween, Oct. 31, with a game at GVSU, before the GLIAC Tournament is scheduled for the first week of November.
Here is a rundown of the incoming freshmen, listed by position:
FORWARDS
• Izzy Armstrong, of Brighton; Hartland High School and the Legends Football Club
• Brynn Bobby, of Milford; Brighton H.S. and Legends FC
• Beckett Ferry, of Bellingham, Washington; Bellingham H.S. and Seattle United Elite Club National League
• Malaina Huemann, of Ringwood, Illinois; Johnsburg H.S. and Rockford Raptors ECNL
• Paige Sundman, of Hartland; Hartland H.S. and Legends FC
• Brenna Wilson, of Appleton, Wisconsin; Kimberly H.S. and SC Wave Girls Academy
MIDFIELDERS
• Sole Corely, of Decatur, Illinois; St. Teresa H.S. and St. Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL
• Addison Ollendike, of Polk City, Iowa; North Polk H.S. and Sporting Iowa ECNL
• Cecilia Wille, of Normal, Illinois; University H.S. and Central Illinois United GA
DEFENDERS
• Addison Fratello, of Ocala, Florida; Vanguard H.S. and Florida Premier ECNL
• Ellie Goodavish, of Verona, Wisconsin; Verona H.S. and Madison 56ers GA
• Eva Larson, of Brighton; Hartland H.S. and Legends FC
• Macey Laskowski, of Darien, Illinois; Hinsdale South H.S. and Chicago Inter ECNL
• Caroline Reynolds, of Bloomfield Hills; Bloomfield Hills H.S. and Nationals ECNL
• Rebecca Schuler, of Henderson, Nevada; Coronado H.S. and Las Vegas Heat Surf SC ECNL
Story contents based on a Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release announcing the recruits. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee's email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.