Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's soccer and head coach Chad Miller continue to rebuild for the upcoming 2026 season, adding nine freshmen to the roster ahead of the preseason. These signees join six previously announced transfer additions, bringing the newcomer total to 15.
WCU's 15 total additions join a Catamount roster that returns three starters from last season, including Mary Mueth, Samantha Whitaker, and Emma Soucy. WCU's departures are headlined by graduates Isabella DeMarco, Milla Syska, Ava Robitaille, Leanne Trudel, and Abbie Wise, with the Catamount newcomers having an opportunity to step into the lineup early in the season.
"This year's recruiting class features nine outstanding student-athletes from seven different states. Along with our transfer additions, this group will help fill key needs across a variety of positions while increasing the level of competition throughout our squad," said Miller, who enters his 17th season leading the Catamounts. "We are excited about the immediate impact these newcomers can have on our program and are thrilled to welcome them to Catamount Country."
Miller added, "I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to Andrew, Whitney, and Michael for their tireless efforts throughout the recruiting process. Their dedication and hard work were instrumental in assembling this talented group and bringing them to Cullowhee."
The nine rookie signees come from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, and Virginia. North Carolina and Florida are the most well-represented states, with two signees apiece.
The Catamounts report to campus in late July, before returning to action at the Catamount Athletic Complex in August. A full schedule announcement is set to release in the coming weeks.
Meet the 2026 Catamount women's soccer incoming freshman class:
Sara Sanders
Goalkeeper | Fairview, Pa. (Fairview HS)
Club Team: Cleveland Force SC ECNL
Received Pennsylvania all-state honors and was named to the D10 First Team. Was named to the All-District Small School team and was a captain her senior year.
Piper Mathers
Defender | Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)
Club Team: CISC ECNL/GA
Earned all-conference honors three times in her career and received All-Region accolades twice. Mathers was named her conference MVP in the 2024-25 season. She also ran track in high school and was a conference and state champion in the 4x400m and 4x800m relays.
Rebecca Quintero
Midfielder | Wellington, Fla. (Wellington HS)
Club Team: Florida West ECNL
Played in Spain twice, participating in the International Surf Cup Salou, netting four goals and receiving MVP honors in the 2022 season. A four-year starter in high school, Quintero notched 24 goals and 18 assists throughout her career, securing four consecutive district championships. She received 2nd all-district honors
Off the pitch, she is a guitarist, pianist, and DJ. She has three siblings: Isabela, Ricardo, and Filippe. Her grandfather also played collegiate soccer.
Lauryn Smith
Defender | Plantation, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
Club Team: Florida West FC ECNL
A three-star recruit according to Top Drawer Soccer, Smith was a member of the Puerto Rican National team across the U14, U15, U17, and U20 levels. A four-year starter since her freshman year, Smith was named a team captain and led her team to States. She has received All-County honors four times throughout her career. She has four siblings: Megan, Erin, Camryn, and Brian. Her parents are Terry and Maite Smith, and her father was a two-sport athlete for Cornell University, competing on the football and wrestling teams.
Brielle Von Colln
Forward | Egg Harbor Township, N.J. (Egg Harbor Township HS)
Club Team: SJEB FC Girls Academy
A two-time All-State, all-Region, and State MVP selection, Brielle has also earned Gotham FC Talent ID and ODP Eastern Selection honors and was a two-time ESPN Player Spotlight honoree. She also earned CAL/Press Player of the Year honors while captaining her High school team to a conference title. She owns three school records in career goals (66), assists (54), and single-season assists (18).
A four-sport athlete in high school, Brielle also competed on her school's swim, golf, and flag football teams, with the latter playing in the state finals at the Philadelphia Eagles Novacare Sports Complex. She is an Ocean City Beach Patrol Lifeguard and snowboards in her free time. Brielle is the daughter of Mark and Heather Von Colln and has two older brothers, Colten and Eric.
Katarina Schmidler
Midfielder | Mount Pleasant, S.C. (Oceanside Collegiate Academy
Club Team: South Carolina United FC ECNL
A four-year member of the South Carolina United FC ECNL team, Schmidler earned 2023 ECNL All-Conference Second Team honors and the SCUFC Ashley Dent Memorial Award. She's also competed in the national spotlight, representing South Carolina on the ODP state team and competing in the finals of the US Youth Futsal National Championship. She helped guide her high school team to two state championships while earning two all-region nods.
She is the daughter of Ray and Julie Schmidler and enjoys reading and going to the beach with her friends.
Elizabeth Rupert
Goalkeeper | Huntersville, N.C. (W.A. Hough HS)
Club Team: Charlotte Independence ECNL/GA
A mainstay between the posts for her high school squad, Rupert recorded a 75% shutout percentage over the course of her career, helping notch a 46-3-2 record in her last two seasons. She also helped guide her club team to the ECNL playoffs the last two years, receiving All-Regional league honors. She also earned a selection for the Carolina Ascent Path-to-Pro development program.
Rupert is an avid dancer in her free time and enjoys performing. Originally from Ohio, she is the daughter of Matt and Susan Rupert and has two brothers, Nicholas and Joe.
Alexandra Zents
Forward | Castle Rock, Colo. (Castle View HS)
Club Team: Real Colorado ECNL Athletico
A Sabercat Leadership Award recipient and a 5A State Runner-Up, Zents was named to the Academic All-State team and was a starter on the Real Colorado ECNL Athletic Teams that advanced to the playoffs in the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
Zents was active off the pitch as well, coaching young children for four years and volunteering at schools around her hometown. She is the daughter of Michelle and Brian Zents and has a younger brother, Samuel. Her mother played tennis at Azusa Pacific.
Darien Vita
Midfielder | Burke, Va. (Lake Braddock Secondary School
Club Team: Virginia Development Academy ECNL
A leading scorer for her squads and a team captain for her club team, Vita has collected a handful of accolades throughout her high school career. She earned Patriot District, All-Regional, and Mid-Atlantic first team honors twice during her prep career.
