DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University women's soccer head coach Julie Colhoff announced its eight incoming freshmen for the 2021 season on Thursday (July 1). The group is represented by five Midwestern states, including four signees from Illinois.

"We're really excited to welcome the new freshmen to our Huskie family," said Colhoff. "We anticipate this class coming in and immediately competing for playing time. They bring talent, competitiveness and athleticism that strengthens us on both sides of the ball. We're really looking forward to the way our returners and these newcomers will complement each other to enhance our play all over the pitch."

The 2021 Huskie women's soccer freshman class includes: 

Edith Delgado, Midfielder/Forward (Aurora, Ill./East Aurora)
Meghan Finley, Forward (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South)
Macy Harris, Midfielder/Forward (Franklin, Wis./Franklin)
Quinlan Libit, Midfielder/Forward (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove)
Maddie Macon, Defender/Forward (Freeport, Ill./Freeport)
Jordyn Saddler, Defender/Midfielder (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper)
Melissa Schneider, Forward (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) 
Kali Stock, Defender (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy)

A four-year letterwinner at East Aurora High School, Delgado scored more than 20 goals in her high school career and was a three-time Upstate Eight All-Conference honoree. In 2019, the midfielder/forward earned All-Sectional Honorable Mention recognition from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA). Delgado played club soccer with Eagles SC and FC United Academy. 

"We're looking forward to the creativity that Edith will bring to our attack," said Colhoff. "Her love for the game and taking players on, as well as her vision of the field, will immediately enhance our offense and allow her to compete for playing time."

Finley is a forward who averaged two points a game during her senior season at Bloomington South High School, where she was a three-year letterwinner, helping the Panthers to three consecutive sectional titles. 

"We're excited about the grit, speed, and work rate that Meghan will bring to the pitch for us on both sides of the ball," said Colhoff. "She also has a knack for finding the back of the net which will allow her to compete up top as soon as she steps on campus."

Harris helped Franklin High School to a pair of regional championships during her time as with the Sabers and broke the school record with 31 goals during her sophomore season as she earned all-conference and all-area recognition. A midfielder/forward, Harris also won state cup and had a pair of runner-up finishes with her club team, Croatian Eagles. 

"Macy brings a mentality and work rate that we think will immediately strengthen our team," said Colhoff. "We're looking forward to her strengthening our attack with her willingness to go at defenders and her never surrender attitude."

A four-year all-conference honoree at Buffalo Grove High School, Libit was a 2021 IHSSCA Honorable Mention All-Sectional recipient. The midfielder/forward, played club soccer with FC United, helping her team with a pair of Illinois State championships. 

"Qunlan's versatility will immediately strengthen our attack," said Colhoff. "Her quickness, willingness to work on both sides of the ball and persistence in taking players on in the final third will all allow her to compete for playing time right away."

Macon earned IHSSCA All-State honors after helping Freeport High School to a 15-1 overall record this season. She was named Most Valuable Player in the NIC-10 after helping to lead the Pretzels to their second conference title in four seasons. Macon played club soccer with the Rockford Raptors. 

"Maddie is another player with great versatility," said Colhoff. "She has the ability to play up top and in the back for us. Her speed on and off the ball help make her a threat in the attack and a challenge to get by defensively. We're looking forward to her immediately competing for playing time in the backline."

A four-year letterwinner at Robbinsdale Cooper High School, Saddler started 64 games during her high school career, netting 12 goals with 10 assists as a defender while earning first team all-conference honors during her senior season. Saddler played club soccer with the Minnesota Thunder Academy and was named a Player to Watch by Top Drawer Soccer at the San Antonio ECNL Showcase in 2020. 

"We're excited about the talent Jordyn brings to the squad on both sides of the ball," said Colhoff. "She is an attack minded defender that is comfortable with the ball at her foot. We're looking forward to her instantly competing as an outside back/winger and strengthening us in both the attack and on defense."

Schneider was a four-year letterwinner at Schaumburg High School, where she helped lead the Saxons to a regional final in 2018. A forward, Schneider earned All-Sectional recognition from the IHSSCA in 2021. Schneider played club soccer with Campton United, helping her team with state cup and finish as NPL finalists in 2019. 

"Melissa is another player who we anticipate immediately strengthening our attack and competing for playing time up top," said Colhoff. "She brings work rate, athleticism and creativity to the pitch, and a persistence in taking players on to get goal. We're excited to see her compete for playing time right when she gets to campus."

Stock played club soccer with the Cincinnati United Premier Girls Academy, helping her teams win six state cups. The defender also helped her club finish in third place at nationals in 2016 and as national finalists in 2017. A three-time member of the Region II Olympic Development Program (ODP) Team, the defender also attended an ODP National Training Camp in 2016. 

"Kali is an outside back who will strengthen our team on both sides of the ball," said Colhoff. "We're looking forward to her immediately competing for playing time with her willingness to get forward into the attack and her work rate defensively.  

"It's no secret that we have big steps that need to be taken this season. As a program, we've been steadily working to build a fire, and now it's time to light the match. This class knows that's exactly what they signed up for and we're excited to work alongside them, and the rest of the team, to show we're up and ready for the challenge."