UNI soccer adds nine to 2026 recruiting class

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI head soccer coach Alex Place Thomas on Tuesday announced the signing of nine prep players to the Panthers' 2026 recruiting class as part of the early signing period.

This year's class includes athletes representing six different midwest states, as well as two goalkeepers, two forwards and five midfielders.

We're incredibly excited to officially welcome our 2026 recruiting class to the Panther family, said Place Thomas. This group of nine talented student-athletes represents a strong mix of players from across the region, each bringing unique qualities that will enhance our program's depth and competitiveness. We've added impact players in every area of the field — forwards, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers — and we're eager to see how they integrate into our team culture and build on our identity as we continue to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Our staff and returning players are looking forward to a great offseason of development and preparation as we welcome this class to campus in the fall.

ALY ARENA - Zionsville, Ind. (Carmel, Ind.) - Forward/Midfielder
Joining the Panthers from central Indiana, Arena is an All-District forward and midfielder at Brebeuf Jesuit Prep High School. A 2025 state tournament semifinalist, regional and sectional champion, she earned Second Team All-District honors as a junior, as well as All-Conference, First Team All-Marion County and Academic All-State recognition last year. Arena led the Braves in scoring last season and enters her senior campaign as a team captain.

INGRID BIRKELAND - St. Paul, Minn. (Highland Park Senior HS) - Goalkeeper
A Twin Cities native, Birkeland joins the Panthers as a four-year letterwinning goalkeeper at Highland Park Senior High School. In her four seasons, she was a two-time all-conference performer helping the Scots capture a conference championship during her freshman season and being named team captain as a senior in a year where Highland Park recorded a .899 save percentage and an 0.88 goals allowed average. Birkeland was also invited to participate in the state high school All-State Game this past season.

SHAELEE FRANCK - Nixa, Mo. (Nixa HS) - Forward/Midfielder
Hailing from the Ozarks region of Missouri, Franck signs with UNI as heads into her senior campaign at Nixa High School as a forward and midfielder. A highly decorated performer, she was an All-State player for the Eagles last season with multiple all-district team honors and three varsity letters in her career, helping Nixa to a state Final Four appearance last season. Franck notably has scored over 30 goals and 19 assists in her prep career.

ELLA MCGINNIS - Verona, Wisc. (Verona Area HS) - Centerback
Signing with the Panthers out of south central Wisconsin, McGinnis joins the UNI roster as she heads into her senior season at Verona Area High School. A three-year varsity letterwinner, she earned First Team All-Conference honors last season and All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition as a sophomore. McGinnis has tallied 19 goals and ten assists in her career, headlined by a ten goal campaign during her junior year.

MORGAN SMITH - St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell North HS) - Midfielder
A multi-sport athlete from the St. Louis metro area, Smith joins the Panther roster as a decorated midfielder at Francis Howell North High School. In her first three seasons of prep soccer, she helped the Knights reach the state playoffs in each of the last three years. An All-Missouri performer, Smith served as team captain during her junior season last year, earning first team all-conference honors.

ALLYSON VUE - St. Paul, Minn. (Johnson Senior HS) - Midfielder
Vue, another Twin Cities native, signs with Northern Iowa after four seasons at Johnson Senior High School. A four-time all-conference midfielder, she helped the Governors to a state championship in 2023 as a sophomore. Vue is a four-year soccer letterwinner, 2025 First Team All-State selection, 2025 team captain, four-year honor roll student and four-time team offensive most valuable player.

MCKENZIE PEARCH - Sugar Grove, Ill. (West Aurora HS) - Midfielder/Defense
From just outside of the Chicago suburbs, Pearch signs with Northern Iowa as a two-year captain at West Aurora High School as a midfielder and defender. A two-time all-conference performer, she was part of the Blackhawks' state tournament team a year ago with a 12-4-1 record, while also serving as part of West Aurora's National Honor Society chapter.

ZOE BOROWICZ - Manfield, Ohio (Lexington HS) - Midfielder
Borowicz joins the Panther roster after three years of varsity soccer at Lexington High School in Ohio. A two-time All-State and All-Conference midfielder, she was also named a three-time All-District performer in helping the Minutemen to two district titles in 2022 as a freshman and 2025 as a senior. In her prep career, Borowicz recorded 39 total goals and 21 assists in helping Lexington go a combined 33-23-12 over the last four years.

HAILEY LUEDTKE - Jackson, Wisc. (Living Word Lutheran HS) - Goalkeeper
Luedtke signs with UNI as she prepares for her senior season as a goalkeeper at Living Word Lutheran High School under her father and coach Chuck Luedtke in Jackson, Wisconsin. In her time with the Timberwolves, Luedtke posted the best record by a goalkeeper in program history helping Living Word Lutheran to three state tournament appearances while being named first team all-conference twice in net. This past year, she was named the Midwest Classic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

UNI women's soccer action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Panther Soccer), X (@UNI_Soccer) and on Instagram (@unipanthersoccer). Schedule information and the roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

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