The 2026 Ashland University women's soccer roster will feature nine newcomers – seven freshmen and two transfers.
"Heading into 2026, this will be our sixth season as a coaching staff at AU," said Ashland head coach
Cayleb Paulino. "Our first recruiting class from top to bottom will be next year's seniors. Every year, the goal in recruiting is to find a group that will help raise the standard and expectations of our program.
"We are excited about the class we are bringing in for 2026. Out of those nine, seven different states will be represented – California, Michigan, Texas, Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. With the success we have created, it has grown our recruiting from a more regional-based team to now making an imprint across the country."
AVERY ALVES, SOPHOMORE GOALKEEPER, RIVERBANK, CALIF./OAKDALE/HAWAII PACIFIC/PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE
- Started and played in nine games as a freshman at Pacific Union College, going 2-4-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average, one shutout and 51 saves.
BROOKE BENNE, FRESHMAN FORWARD/MIDFIELDER, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS/RONALD REAGAN
- Started 2026 season with nine goals and eight assists.
- Posted 13 goals and 13 assists in 2025, four goals and 12 assists in 2024, and four goals and five assists in 2023.
- Named first-team all-region and first-team all-district in 2025.
- Varsity letter winner in soccer, track and field and cross country.
ADDI BURKEMPER, FRESHMAN MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER, PEWAUKEE, WIS./PEWAUKEE
- Member of a state finalist team.
- Earned first-team All-Woodland West Conference honors.
- Four-year varsity soccer letter winner.
- Twin sister of fellow AU recruit, Alex.
ALEX BURKEMPER, FRESHMAN MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER, PEWAUKEE, WIS./PEWAUKEE
- Member of a state finalist team.
- Four-time first-team All-Woodland West Conference honoree.
- Four-year varsity soccer letter winner.
- Twin sister of fellow AU recruit, Addi.
AUBREY KRISCHANO, FRESHMAN FORWARD/MIDFIELDER, WESTLAND, MICH./SALEM
- Part of regional championship team in 2024, and district title teams in 2024 and 2025.
- Earned second-team all-state honors in Division II, and all-district and all-conference laurels, in 2025.
- Was all-district and all-conference in 2024.
- Four-year varsity soccer letter winner.
MARIA MAYER, FRESHMAN FORWARD/MIDFIELDER, WEST HARRISON, IND./EAST CENTRAL
- Set program standard for goals in a season with 32.
- Also scored most single-season points, and is program's second all-time leading scorer.
- Member of sectional and Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference title teams in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and regional and sectional championship teams in 2024.
- Was second-team All-District 3 and EIAC Most Valuable Player and Offensive MVP as a senior, and first-team All-District 3 and EIAC Offensive MVP as a junior.
- Earned varsity letters in soccer (four) and basketball (two).
RAQUEL PATALON, JUNIOR MIDFIELDER, HENDERSON, NEV./FOOTHILL/TEMPLE
- Saw action in one game for Temple in 2025.
- Played in eight games (one start) for Temple in 2024.
- Nevada Preps All-Southern second-team performer as a prep senior.
- Led team to state finals with 21 goals and 19 assists.
ADDI PITMAN, FRESHMAN FORWARD/MIDFIELDER, MANSFIELD, OHIO/ONTARIO
- First-team Division III All-North Central Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Northwest District as a senior.
CARLY THOMAS, FRESHMAN MIDFIELDER, HILLIARD, OHIO/DARBY
- Was ECNL RL all-region selection.
- Earned three varsity soccer letters.
- Sister of former Eagle women's soccer player, Sydney.
"Every year, we feel our program's level of competition gets better and better," Paulino said. "For us, we have to find players that embrace that competition. This class is no different. The players coming in will help move the needle in our program when it comes to standards and expectations daily. As a staff, we feel they have the opportunity to make their mark on our program Day 1, and we are excited to have them be part of our family."
Eagle women's soccer was 14-3-5 overall and 10-0-4 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in 2025, winning both the conference's regular-season and tournament titles, and was victorious in the first round of the NCAA postseason. Ashland has reached the NCAA Division II postseason for seven straight seasons it has been contested (2018-19, 2021-25).
