VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of South Dakota women's soccer program and Coach Thomas announced Wednesday afternoon the signing of the 2026 recruiting class. 

Harper Bublitz 

Harper Bublitz from Sussex, Wisconsin, joins the Coyotes soccer program as a freshman majoring in biochemistry. A student at Sussex Hamilton High School, Harper has earned Dean's List honors throughout her academic career. On the field, she has focused on club soccer year-round, gaining valuable experience as a center midfielder and developing a strong competitive edge outside of the high school season. 

Makenna Martin 

Makenna Martin from San Marcos, California, joins the Coyotes soccer program as a freshman forward majoring in finance. A standout at San Marcos High School, she earned Offensive Player of the Year twice and consistently made the Knights Silver Honor Roll. Makenna scored 17 goals as a freshman and also excelled in club soccer, helping her team win the Southwest GA Championship in 2023 and 2024 and reaching the Girls Academy Semi-Finals in 2024. 

Addison Heck 

Addison Heck from Bismarck, North Dakota, joins the Coyotes soccer program as a freshman midfielder majoring in biology. A standout at Century High School, she earned All-State honors in 11th grade, was a team captain, and consistently achieved A Honor Roll while being a member of the National Honor Society. Addison ranked fifth in total points in her conference during her junior season and has competed at high levels in club soccer with Magic Soccer FC, Sioux Falls City FC's USL W team, and the Olympic Development Program, representing the Midwest Region at the ODP Interregional Event in Orlando, Florida. 

Olivia Halunen 

Olivia Halunen from Woodbury, Minnesota, will join the soccer program as a center back. A standout at Woodbury High School, Olivia earned two-time All-State First Team, three-time All-Metro, and two-time All-Conference honors, serving as team MVP and two-year captain. She also played varsity basketball for two years, earning an All-Conference honorable mention. Academically, Olivia has been a four-year Honor Roll student, Academic Letter Winner, and National Honor Society member, and she received College Board National Recognition. Outside of school, she competed with Salvo Soccer Club's Girls Academy, attending the Mid-America/Midwest Girls Academy Talent ID three times and earning recognition as a Soccer Wire Midwest Player to Watch. Olivia plans to pursue a degree in Kinesiology – Exercise Science. 

Kate Payton 

Kate Payton from Minneapolis, Minnesota, joins the soccer program as a winger/forward. At Southwest High School, she earned multiple All-State and All-Conference honors, was named Offensive MVP twice, and was a Minnesota Ms. Soccer finalist in 2025. Kate holds the school record for most goals and assists in a single season and was recognized as one of Minnesota's top 25 players by the Star Tribune. Academically, she is an IB Medallion Candidate with a highest honors GPA and has competed in basketball and track, as well as with the Minnesota Thunder Academy. 

Sam Mattes 

Sam Mattes from Woodbury, Minnesota, will join the soccer program as a goalkeeper. At Woodbury High School, she earned All-Conference honors as a junior and senior and was named All-State her senior year. Sam recorded 72 saves with a 0.857 save percentage and a 0.80 goals-against average in her final season. Academically, she was a four-year Honor Roll student and AP Distinguished Honors Student, and she also competed in lacrosse and ice hockey. Sam played club soccer with Tonka Fusion Elite, reaching the GA Playoffs in 2025. 

Emma Eilers 

Emma Eilers from Lincoln, Nebraska, joins the soccer program as a goalkeeper. At Lincoln East High School, she earned multiple All-State honorable mentions and helped lead her team to the state semifinals in 2024 and quarterfinals in 2025, recording 115 career saves by her junior year. Academically, Emma achieved Highest Distinction Honor Roll. She also competed with her club team, reaching the NPL National Semifinals in 2024 and winning the ECRL Heartland Cup the same year. 

Brooklynn Pollmiller 

Brooklynn Pollmiller from Colorado Springs, Colorado, will join the soccer program as a forward. At Village High School, she earned Offensive MVP honors her sophomore and junior years, was named to the All-State Second Team, and led her team in goals and assists. Brooklynn also achieved Academic All-State First Team and Honor Roll recognition and played volleyball. She competed with her club team, winning the ECNL National Championship in 2025. 

Maggie Barrett 

Maggie Barrett from Castle Rock, Colorado, joins the soccer program as a defender/forward. At SkyView Academy, she was a two-time team MVP, two-time First Team All-State, and helped lead her team to Sweet 16, Elite 8, and Final 4 appearances, scoring 61 goals with 12 assists for 134 points. Academically, Maggie earned Honor Roll recognition twice and received the 2024–2025 English Commitment Award. She also competed in basketball and cross country and played club soccer with multiple ECNL appearances, including an ECNL National Championship. 

Kinsley Pesicka 

Kinsley Pesicka from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, joins the soccer program as a midfielder/forward. At Roosevelt High School, she was a two-time All-State and three-time All-Metro honoree, serving as team captain and recording 18 goals with 17 assists in her senior year. Academically, Kinsley earned Academic All-State recognition with a 4.0 GPA and also competed in basketball, captaining her club soccer team. 

Coach Thomas had this to say about the incoming class, "I'm excited to announce the 2026 University of South Dakota recruiting class.  In addition to being good soccer players they are good people, citizens and teammates.  It will be fun to watch them come in and build on the strong culture that the current team has laid at USD" 

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