University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI soccer signs ten transfers to 2026 class
1/21/2026 3:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI head soccer coach Alex Place Thomas on Wednesday announced the addition of ten transfers to the Panthers' 2026 signing class.
We're thrilled to welcome an outstanding group of transfers to our Panther family, said Place Thomas. Their experience and winning mentality will immediately elevate our program. We're building a culture of excellence and I know they're ready to make a significant impact.
Northern Iowa's ten transfers join the nine incoming freshman players who signed with the Panthers in November. The upcoming 2026 season will be the second under the leadership of Coach Place Thomas, who served as UNI's interim head coach during the 2025 campaign.
MAYA ANDERSON - Defense | Blaine, Minn. / Blaine HS / Wartburg
Anderson joins the Panthers after playing the first two seasons of her collegiate career up the road at Wartburg College. A Blaine, Minnesota native, Anderson appeared in 38 matches for the Knights, netting three goals with one assist at Wartburg. At Blaine High School, she was a team defensive MVP and two-time conference all-academic team honoree, helping her team to a conference championship.
POPPY ANDERSON - Goalkeeper | Sanderstead, England / Coome Wood Sixth Form / Vavapai
Hailing originally from across the pond, Anderson signs with Northern Iowa after two years at Yavapai College in Arizona. In her one season of action with the Roughriders, Anderson appeared in six matches in 2024 with six saves. During her prep career in England, she was part of one of the top-16 high school teams in the nation.
KEIRA BOGOTT - Forward | Woodstock, Ill. / Woodstock HS / North Alabama
A multi-sport athlete from northern Illinois, Bogott signs with UNI after one season at North Alabama. Leading her high school team to a conference title as a senior in 2025, Boggott was a three-time all-conference forward at Woodstock High School where she also was a three-time team MVP. Bogott also competed in cross country, track and field and basketball at Woodstock.
ADDISON DAVIS - Defense | Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley West HS / Kansas City
Kansas City area native Addison Davis joins the Panthers after one season at UMKC where she appeared in one match against Denver. In high school at Blue Valley West, she earned Eastern Kansas League (EKL) honorable mention status and was part of her team's class 6A state championship run as a junior in 2023. Davis also played club for Kansas Rush GA.
KACY KUEHL - Defense/Forward | Liberty, Mo. / Liberty North HS / St. Bonaventure
Kuehl signs with Northern Iowa after spending her 2025 freshman season at St. Bonaventure in New York. She made nine appearances with 271 total minutes of playing time in her first collegiate season, including her collegiate debut against VCU. As a high schooler at Liberty North in Missouri, Kuehl helped her team to an undefeated state championship season in 2023, as well as a third-place finish in 2022 and three all-conference and district team selections.
PAIGE MIER - Defense | Northfield, Minn. / Shattuck Saint Mary's HS / UNI
A familiar face to the Panthers, UNI golfer Paige Mier joins the roster set to resume her soccer career. An all-conference defender at Shattuck Saint Mary's in high school, Mier was a two-year letterwinner who also helped her club soccer team to a pair of Minnesota club state runner-up finishes.
KAILEY O'BRIEN - Midfield/Forward | Clarence, N.Y. / Clarence HS / Youngstown State
O'Brien signs with Northern Iowa after three seasons at Youngstown State and 17 match appearances. The New York native was a decorated midfielder and forward at Clarence High School, helping her team to a combined 79-9-5 record during her prep career, earning multiple all-conference and sectional team selections. O'Brien's high school squad captured four sectional titles, three regional crowns and helped the Red Devils to a state runner-up finish in 2022.
LEAH ROCHA - Forward | Chicago, Ill. / Lake Central HS / Chicago State
Hailing from the Windy City, Rocha joins the Panthers after playing her freshman season at Chicago State, where she appeared 16 matches with three starts, netting one goal with two assists as part of the Cougars' best season in program history. A two-year soccer letterwinner at Lake Central High School, Rocha's junior prep season saw her earn all-conference honors, along with honors from the NWI Times as its top player and Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Team.
ALLI SAVIANO - Midfield/Forward | St. Charles, Mo. / St. Charles East HS / SEMO
Saviano signs with UNI after two years at SEMO, where she appeared in 16 matches with 13 starts in 2024 with one goal and three assists recorded. In high school at St. Charles East, she was a four-year letterwinner with 27 goals and 32 assists to her name, helping the Fighting Saints to a combined 78-15-9 record during her prep career with four regional, two sectionals and one conference championships.
JENNA SCHOLZ - Midfield | Appleton, Wisc. / Kimberly HS / Wisconsin-Parkside / Alabama State
The Panthers added Scholz to the roster after two seasons at Wisconsin-Parkside and spending last season at Alabama State. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons at UW-Parkside, Scholz appeared in 20 matches with one goal scored, while notching one assist at Alabama State in 2025 and 14 matches played. In her prep career at Kimberly High School, she was also a first team all-conference team selection.
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.
