Marquette University Athletics
Photo by: Marquette Athletics
WSOC Announces 2026 Class
2/23/2026 8:03:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Golden Eagles will welcome nine new faces ahead of 2026 campaign
MILWAUKEE — The Marquette University women's soccer program is welcoming nine newcomers for the 2026 campaign, head coach Chris Allen announced Monday morning.
The class is highlighted by graduate transfer Sarah Sirdah, reclassified freshman Eleanor Kane, and early enrollees Mia Hurd and Ava Jack Shaw, who are already on campus and training with the Golden Eagles. The 2026 class also includes Sophie Piekarski, Alessandra Russo, Callie Hefner, Gabi Retana, and Kaylie Sheehan.
"We are proud to announce our Class of 2026. This class is particularly meaningful to our staff, as it is the first group we have guided through the full recruiting cycle from start to finish," Allen said. "They understand our vision, believe in our process, and are committed to playing significant roles in our program's resurgence. I want to sincerely thank our recruiting coordinator, Jennifer Wandt, and Jacqueline Baetz for their tireless work in assembling this special group. We are confident not only in the talent these student-athletes will bring to the field, but more importantly in the character, leadership, and mentality they will add to our culture and campus community. Our goal is to compete at the highest level while building a legacy that reflects our program's values and ambition. We believe the Class of '26 will play a significant role in elevating our program as they let their special shine in the Blue & Gold."
Sarah Sirdah
Sirdah joins the Golden Eagles as a graduate transfer from Indiana University and will pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. A native of Duluth, Georgia, she played club soccer for TopHat and gained international experience through participation in Mexico Women's National Team U17 and U20 camps. In 16 matches for the Hoosiers in 2025, Sirdah ranked third on the team in points.
"I chose Marquette because the culture is incredibly strong," Sirdah said. "It's the way they pour into you as a person and genuinely care about your growth on and off the field. I also knew I'd be stepping into a school where the academics are strong and where I could succeed both in the classroom and on the field."
Eleanor Kane
Kane, a native of Naperville, Illinois reclassified from the 2027 class to join Marquette in 2026. She plans to major in exercise physiology and brings extensive experience from the Girls Academy and U.S. Youth Soccer levels.
She helped lead her U14 and U15 teams to USYS National Championships in 2022 and 2023 and captured the 2025 U17 Girls Academy National Championship. Kane also earned multiple Talent ID selections along with high school all-conference, sectional and all-state honors.
"I chose Marquette University because it offers the perfect balance of strong academic reputation, the right-sized campus and an incredible people-first culture," Kane said. "I know this community will challenge me to grow both on and off the field."
Mia Hurd
Hurd, a Cedarburg, Wisconsin native, enrolled early and is already integrated into the program. Planning to major in speech-language pathology, she starred at FC Wisconsin and Cedarburg High School, earning first-team all-conference and all-state honors.
"I chose Marquette because of the incredible academics, amazing soccer program and, most importantly, the people and coaches that I will be surrounding myself with daily," Hurd said.
Ava Jack Shaw
Shaw also enrolled early and intends to major in civil engineering. She captained Oklahoma Energy FC ECNL and earned back-to-back ECNL Texas All-Conference First Team selections. Shaw led her club team in scoring with 17 goals and 11 assists in 2024–25. During two years of high school varsity soccer, she totaled 192 points (79 goals, 34 assists).
"I believe in the vision the coaching staff has for the program," Shaw said. "The combination of athletic excellence and academic achievement made Marquette the perfect place for me to pursue my goals."
Sophie Piekarski
Piekarski, arrives at Marquette from Glenview, Illinois, where she competed for Chicago Magic and Chicago FC United at the club level and developed into a versatile attacking player. She played both forward and midfield at Glenbrook South High School, earning team MVP and all-conference honors during her junior season after leading the team in scoring during the 2023 fall campaign.
"I loved the coaches and their vision for the future of the team," Piekarski said. "It felt like the perfect place to grow as a player and be part of something special."
Alessandra Russo
Russo, a native of Naperville, Illinois brings an accomplished résumé from both the high school and club levels. A varsity standout at Neuqua Valley High School, she served as team captain and earned all-state recognition as a junior. At the club level, Russo competed for Galaxy Soccer Club, capturing two USYS National Championships (2023, 2024) and a Girls Academy National Championship in 2025. She has also participated in multiple Talent ID programs, including Girls Academy and U.S. Youth National Team identification centers. Russo plans to major in nursing.
"I chose Marquette because of the great coaches, amazing team culture, high academics, and exciting future goals for the program," Russo said.
Callie Hefner
Hefner joins the Golden Eagles after competing for several elite programs, including Chicago Rush, Galaxy, and Chicago House Futsal. Her experience is highlighted by a Girls Academy national championship, selection to the Chicago Rush National Team, and participation in the Olympic Development Program regional team. At Minooka Community High School, Hefner earned three all-regional honors and two all-sectional selections, demonstrating consistent impact and leadership.
"I chose Marquette because its strong soccer program, culture, and academics align with my goals," Hefner said. "The culture at Marquette is truly amazing and something I want to be a part of."
Gabi Retana
Retana, from Madison, Wisconsin, was a four-year varsity contributor at Madison West High School and a three-time first-team All–Big 8 Conference selection. She earned all-state and all-region honors as a junior while helping lead her team to a runner-up finish at the 2025 WIAA Division 1 State Championship. Retana also competed for FC Wisconsin and Madison 56ers, winning a state title in 2022. In addition to soccer, she was a competitive swimmer for both her club team and high school. Retana plans to major in biology.
"I chose Marquette because of the amazing coaching staff and their vision for the program, the unique team culture, and, overall, because the school just felt right for me," Retana said.
Kaylie Sheehan
Sheehan comes to Marquette from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she played club soccer for Colorado Rush and established herself as a dynamic attacking presence. She earned Offensive Player of the Year honors for the 2008 Colorado Rush team during the 2022–23 season and helped lead her squad to a state championship. At the high school level, Sheehan garnered honorable mention all-conference and all-state recognition before earning first-team all-conference honors as a senior. She plans to major in biomedical engineering.
"I chose Marquette because of the focus on team culture and drive for success and development," Sheehan said. "Academically, Marquette is recognized as one of the top universities in the nation and I look forward to opportunities after college".
2026 Signing Class
Sarah Sirdah | Gr. | Duluth, Ga. | Indiana University
Eleanor Kane | Fr. | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville Central HS
Mia Hurd | Fr. | Cedarburg, Wis. | Cedarburg HS
Ava Jack Shaw | Fr. | Oklahoma City, Okla. | NOAH HS
Sophie Piekarski | Fr. | Glenview, Ill. | Glenbrook South HS
Alessandra Russo | Fr. | Naperville, Ill. | Neuqua Valley HS
Callie Hefner | Fr. | Minooka, Ill. | Minooka Community HS
Gabi Retana | Fr. | Madison, Wis. | Madison West HS
Kaylie Sheehan | Fr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Colorado Rush Academy
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
SOCIAL: X | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #WeAreMarquette
The class is highlighted by graduate transfer Sarah Sirdah, reclassified freshman Eleanor Kane, and early enrollees Mia Hurd and Ava Jack Shaw, who are already on campus and training with the Golden Eagles. The 2026 class also includes Sophie Piekarski, Alessandra Russo, Callie Hefner, Gabi Retana, and Kaylie Sheehan.
"We are proud to announce our Class of 2026. This class is particularly meaningful to our staff, as it is the first group we have guided through the full recruiting cycle from start to finish," Allen said. "They understand our vision, believe in our process, and are committed to playing significant roles in our program's resurgence. I want to sincerely thank our recruiting coordinator, Jennifer Wandt, and Jacqueline Baetz for their tireless work in assembling this special group. We are confident not only in the talent these student-athletes will bring to the field, but more importantly in the character, leadership, and mentality they will add to our culture and campus community. Our goal is to compete at the highest level while building a legacy that reflects our program's values and ambition. We believe the Class of '26 will play a significant role in elevating our program as they let their special shine in the Blue & Gold."
Sarah Sirdah
Sirdah joins the Golden Eagles as a graduate transfer from Indiana University and will pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. A native of Duluth, Georgia, she played club soccer for TopHat and gained international experience through participation in Mexico Women's National Team U17 and U20 camps. In 16 matches for the Hoosiers in 2025, Sirdah ranked third on the team in points.
"I chose Marquette because the culture is incredibly strong," Sirdah said. "It's the way they pour into you as a person and genuinely care about your growth on and off the field. I also knew I'd be stepping into a school where the academics are strong and where I could succeed both in the classroom and on the field."
Eleanor Kane
Kane, a native of Naperville, Illinois reclassified from the 2027 class to join Marquette in 2026. She plans to major in exercise physiology and brings extensive experience from the Girls Academy and U.S. Youth Soccer levels.
She helped lead her U14 and U15 teams to USYS National Championships in 2022 and 2023 and captured the 2025 U17 Girls Academy National Championship. Kane also earned multiple Talent ID selections along with high school all-conference, sectional and all-state honors.
"I chose Marquette University because it offers the perfect balance of strong academic reputation, the right-sized campus and an incredible people-first culture," Kane said. "I know this community will challenge me to grow both on and off the field."
Mia Hurd
Hurd, a Cedarburg, Wisconsin native, enrolled early and is already integrated into the program. Planning to major in speech-language pathology, she starred at FC Wisconsin and Cedarburg High School, earning first-team all-conference and all-state honors.
"I chose Marquette because of the incredible academics, amazing soccer program and, most importantly, the people and coaches that I will be surrounding myself with daily," Hurd said.
Ava Jack Shaw
Shaw also enrolled early and intends to major in civil engineering. She captained Oklahoma Energy FC ECNL and earned back-to-back ECNL Texas All-Conference First Team selections. Shaw led her club team in scoring with 17 goals and 11 assists in 2024–25. During two years of high school varsity soccer, she totaled 192 points (79 goals, 34 assists).
"I believe in the vision the coaching staff has for the program," Shaw said. "The combination of athletic excellence and academic achievement made Marquette the perfect place for me to pursue my goals."
Sophie Piekarski
Piekarski, arrives at Marquette from Glenview, Illinois, where she competed for Chicago Magic and Chicago FC United at the club level and developed into a versatile attacking player. She played both forward and midfield at Glenbrook South High School, earning team MVP and all-conference honors during her junior season after leading the team in scoring during the 2023 fall campaign.
"I loved the coaches and their vision for the future of the team," Piekarski said. "It felt like the perfect place to grow as a player and be part of something special."
Alessandra Russo
Russo, a native of Naperville, Illinois brings an accomplished résumé from both the high school and club levels. A varsity standout at Neuqua Valley High School, she served as team captain and earned all-state recognition as a junior. At the club level, Russo competed for Galaxy Soccer Club, capturing two USYS National Championships (2023, 2024) and a Girls Academy National Championship in 2025. She has also participated in multiple Talent ID programs, including Girls Academy and U.S. Youth National Team identification centers. Russo plans to major in nursing.
"I chose Marquette because of the great coaches, amazing team culture, high academics, and exciting future goals for the program," Russo said.
Callie Hefner
Hefner joins the Golden Eagles after competing for several elite programs, including Chicago Rush, Galaxy, and Chicago House Futsal. Her experience is highlighted by a Girls Academy national championship, selection to the Chicago Rush National Team, and participation in the Olympic Development Program regional team. At Minooka Community High School, Hefner earned three all-regional honors and two all-sectional selections, demonstrating consistent impact and leadership.
"I chose Marquette because its strong soccer program, culture, and academics align with my goals," Hefner said. "The culture at Marquette is truly amazing and something I want to be a part of."
Gabi Retana
Retana, from Madison, Wisconsin, was a four-year varsity contributor at Madison West High School and a three-time first-team All–Big 8 Conference selection. She earned all-state and all-region honors as a junior while helping lead her team to a runner-up finish at the 2025 WIAA Division 1 State Championship. Retana also competed for FC Wisconsin and Madison 56ers, winning a state title in 2022. In addition to soccer, she was a competitive swimmer for both her club team and high school. Retana plans to major in biology.
"I chose Marquette because of the amazing coaching staff and their vision for the program, the unique team culture, and, overall, because the school just felt right for me," Retana said.
Kaylie Sheehan
Sheehan comes to Marquette from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she played club soccer for Colorado Rush and established herself as a dynamic attacking presence. She earned Offensive Player of the Year honors for the 2008 Colorado Rush team during the 2022–23 season and helped lead her squad to a state championship. At the high school level, Sheehan garnered honorable mention all-conference and all-state recognition before earning first-team all-conference honors as a senior. She plans to major in biomedical engineering.
"I chose Marquette because of the focus on team culture and drive for success and development," Sheehan said. "Academically, Marquette is recognized as one of the top universities in the nation and I look forward to opportunities after college".
2026 Signing Class
Sarah Sirdah | Gr. | Duluth, Ga. | Indiana University
Eleanor Kane | Fr. | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville Central HS
Mia Hurd | Fr. | Cedarburg, Wis. | Cedarburg HS
Ava Jack Shaw | Fr. | Oklahoma City, Okla. | NOAH HS
Sophie Piekarski | Fr. | Glenview, Ill. | Glenbrook South HS
Alessandra Russo | Fr. | Naperville, Ill. | Neuqua Valley HS
Callie Hefner | Fr. | Minooka, Ill. | Minooka Community HS
Gabi Retana | Fr. | Madison, Wis. | Madison West HS
Kaylie Sheehan | Fr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Colorado Rush Academy
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
SOCIAL: X | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #WeAreMarquette
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