Women's Soccer 8/25/2026 1:00:00 PM Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

Women's Soccer Selected Fifth in 2026 Preseason Poll

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The NMU women's soccer team has been selected to finish fifth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), as announced by the league today.

2026 GLIAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1.    Grand Valley State 81 (9)
2.    Saginaw Valley State 71 (1)
3.    Ferris State 60
4.    Parkside 57
5.    Northern Michigan 48
6.    Davenport 39
7.    Wayne State 37
8.    Purdue Northwest 27
9.    Roosevelt 17
10. Michigan Tech 13

The Wildcat women's soccer program is entering its second season under the leadership of head coach Erin Egolf and assistant coach Nathan Phillips, who took over the club following the departure of Jon Sandoval and Natalie Stampfly after the 2024 campaign.

The 'Cats were picked to finish fourth in 2024 before ultimately finishing fifth during the regular season with a 6-6-2 conference record and a 7-8-5 overall record. The 'Cats traveled to Ferris State and advanced to the semifinals of the GLIAC Tournament thanks to a 2-0 win in Big Rapids before running into the regular season champions and eventual GLIAC Tournament winners, Grand Valley State.

The Wildcats return 20 student-athletes from 2025, including four seniors, six juniors, and 10 sophomores, to go along with 15 newcomers. Of the returners, head coach Egolf has named four captains for 2026: senior Madison Bilbia, redshirt junior Madalyn Nissen, junior Irene Kiilunen, and junior Marena Maceroni.

Bilbia returns as one of the top scorers from last season, having scored three goals and three assists for nine points as a starter in all 20 matches for the Green and Gold. After missing her first two seasons to injury, Nissen worked her way into the lineup after returning from injury in 2025 and should bring a key leadership voice to the 'Cats. Kiilunen returns as one of the most important pieces in the backfield, having played the full 90 minutes 17 times and pacing all Wildcats in minutes played while matching Bilbia with three goals as a sophomore in 2025. Maceroni took a big step in 2025, going from eight games played and 88 minutes logged as a freshman to a goal and two assists with 813 minutes played in 18 appearances as a sophomore, and will look to take another big step for the 'Cats.

Along with the captaincy group, the 'Cats return the program leader in shutouts in goalkeeper Jillian Thompson, the third-most returning minutes behind Kiilunen and Gretchen Ellis in senior defender Ava Buhlman, and senior Marquette native Isabella Lorens. Ellis embarks on her sophomore year after starting all 20 games and finishing second on the team in returning minutes, and sophomore Addison Frantti returns as the top returning points-scorer after her freshman campaign saw three goals and four assists for 10 points.

NMU completed it's packed preseason campaign yesterday, hosting UW-Stevens Point at home after a weekend trip to Concordia University-Wisconsin and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. NMU held an intrasquad scrimmage the weekend prior. The 'Cats now open the 2026 season at home, hosting regional foes St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth on Friday, August 28, and Sunday, August 30, at 3 p.m. ET and noon ET at the NMU Soccer Field.

2026 Incoming Class Release

Head coach Erin Egolf and assistant coach Nathan Phillips welcome 15 freshmen from seven different states, including five from Michigan, four from Illinois, two from Wisconsin, and one from Florida, Iowa, Nevada, and Washington, respectively. Egolf and Phillips will embark on their second season behind the Wildcat bench after a record of 7-8-5 overall record and 6-6-2 conference mark in 2025.

"We are so thrilled to welcome this group to our program!" adds head coach Egolf. "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!"

The 'Cats begin the exhibition pre-season with a trip to Wisconsin, playing Concordia University-Wisconsin and Milwaukee School of Engineering on August 20 and 22 before heading back home and hosting UW-Stevens Point on Monday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m., closing pre-season at home. The full schedule release can be found below.

(List of names below are in alphabetical order by last name)

Forwards:

Izzy Armstrong (Brighton, MI) // Legends FC // Hartland HS
Brynn Bobby (Milford, MI) // Legends FC // Brighton HS
Beckett Ferry (Bellingham, WA) // Seattle United ECNL // Bellingham HS
Malaina Huemann (Ringwood, IL) // Rockford Raptors ECNL // Johnsburg HS
Paige Sundman (Hartland, MI) // Legends FC // Hartland HS
Brenna Wilson (Appleton, WI) // SC Wave GA // Kimberly HS

Midfielders:

Sole Corely (Decatur, IL) // Saint Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL // St. Teresa HS
Addison Ollendike (Polk City, IA) // Sporting Iowa ECNL // North Polk HS
Cecilia Wille (Normal, IL) // Central Illinois United GA // University HS

Defenders:

Addison Fratello (Ocala, FL) // Florida Premier ECNL // Vanguard HS
Ellie Goodavish (Verona, WI) // Madison 56ers GA // Verona Area HS
Eva Larson (Brighton, MI) // Legends FC // Hartland HS
Macey Laskowski (Darien, IL) // Chicago Inter ECNL // Hinsdale South HS
Caroline Reynolds (Bloomfield Hills, MI) // Nationals ECNL // Bloomfield Hills HS
Rebecca Schuler (Henderson, NV) // LV Heat Surf SC ECNL // Coronado HS

2026 Schedule Release

Head coach Erin Egolf and the NMU women's soccer team have announced the 2026 regular season schedule.

The campaign consists of 10 home matches on the NMU Soccer Field, four non-conference tilts, and a compact pre-season to begin the season. The full 21-game schedule can be found at the nmu women's soccer schedule page.

The 'Cats begin the exhibition pre-season with a trip to Wisconsin, playing Concordia University-Wisconsin and Milwaukee School of Engineering on August 20 and 22 before heading back home and hosting UW-Stevens Point on Monday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m., closing pre-season at home.

The regular season officially kicks off at home, as the 'Cats host NSIC foes St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth on Friday, August 28, and Sunday, August 30, at 3 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. The 'Cats then travel to Ohio to round out the non-conference slate, playing GMAC foes Northwood and Cedarville.

The GLIAC Conference schedule opens at home for the 'Cats, hosting the Grand Valley State Lakers and Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Friday, September 11, and Sunday, September 13, with kickoffs at 3 p.m. and 12 p.m. from Marquette.

The 'Cats then rattle off a string of five road games from September 18 to October 4, before returning to Marquette to play its final five home games in a row: Purdue Northwest at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 9, Roosevelt on Sunday, October 11, at 12 p.m., Michigan Tech on Sunday, October 18, at 12 p.m., Parkside on Friday, October 23, at 3 p.m., and Ferris State on Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m.

The GLIAC regular season comes to a close the same as it opened, but in the Grand Rapids area instead of Marquette, as the 'Cats play Davenport and Grand Valley State on October 29 and 31.

The GLIAC Tournament begins just three days later, with the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, November 3, followed by the final four being hosted by the highest remaining seed with the semifinals on Friday, November 6, and the championship on Sunday, November 8. The NCAA Tournament begins on Friday, November 13.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Madison Bilbia: F/MF; 5' 5"; Junior

#21 Ava Buhlman: D; 5' 5"; Junior

#17 Irene Kiilunen: D; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#12 Isabella Lorens: F; 5' 3"; Junior

#27 Marena Maceroni: D; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#19 Madalyn Nissen: F/D; 5' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

#1 Jillian Thompson: GK; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#2 Gretchen Ellis: MF; 5' 6"; Freshman

#6 Addison Frantti: F; 5' 5"; Freshman

#7 Brynn Bobby: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Madison Bilbia
: 5' 5"; Junior
: F/MF

#21 Ava Buhlman
: 5' 5"; Junior
: D

#17 Irene Kiilunen
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: D

#12 Isabella Lorens
: 5' 3"; Junior
: F

#27 Marena Maceroni
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: D

#19 Madalyn Nissen
: 5' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F/D

#1 Jillian Thompson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior
: GK

#2 Gretchen Ellis
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: MF

#6 Addison Frantti
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: F

#7 Brynn Bobby
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F

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Women's Soccer Selected Fifth in 2026 Preseason Poll

Players Mentioned

#13 Madison Bilbia

#21 Ava Buhlman

#17 Irene Kiilunen

#12 Isabella Lorens

#27 Marena Maceroni

#19 Madalyn Nissen

#1 Jillian Thompson

#2 Gretchen Ellis

#6 Addison Frantti

#7 Brynn Bobby

Players Mentioned

#13 Madison Bilbia

#21 Ava Buhlman

#17 Irene Kiilunen

#12 Isabella Lorens

#27 Marena Maceroni

#19 Madalyn Nissen

#1 Jillian Thompson

#2 Gretchen Ellis

#6 Addison Frantti

#7 Brynn Bobby