Women's Soccer | November 15

O'Neill Announces Seven Additions in 2025 Class
 
DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer head coach Michael O'Neill has announced seven signees who will join the Huskies for the 2025 season. The seven signees are Lyndsey Miller (Alton, Ill./Alton), Mckayla Harsley (Union, Ky./Randall K. Cooper), Ella Wainscott (Oswego, Ill./Saint Francis), Mya Newcombe (Carlisle, Ontario/Scrosoppi FC), Alyssun Janzen (Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec/A.S. Blainville), Laurina Bilombo (Laval, Quebec/CF Montreal) and Monica Correa (Des Plaines, Ill/Saint Viator High School).
 
NIU is adding three defenders, one midfielder and three forwards to the team. Among the seven recruits are three international players, all of whom are from Canada.
 
"We are thrilled with the addition of so many high-quality players," O'Neill said. "My staff have worked tirelessly to get some of the best local, regional, and international talent here to NIU and we are excited to see them impact this program as we continue to build a highly competitive MAC program."
 
Miller is from Alton, Ill. and attended Alton High School, while playing at the club level for St. Louis Scott Gallagher. Miller has played on defense at the club and high school level while also finding the back of the net in multiple games.
 
"Lyndsey is a dynamic and tough tackling defender that will add great depth to our defensive unit," O'Neill said. "Her front-foot approach matched with her athleticism will allow her to compete in the MAC right away. Lyndsey will also make a positive impact off the field, and we can't wait for her to get started."
 
Harsley played club soccer with Indy Premier and joins the Huskies from Union, Ky where she attended Randal K. Cooper High School. Harsley has helped Cooper win 14 games in each of the last two seasons.
 
"Mckayla is another extremely dynamic defender that will fit in right away to our game model," O'Neill said. "As an outside back she has both the speed and the endurance to constantly impact both sides of the ball. We also know Mckayla embodies everything we want in a student-athlete here at NIU and I'm excited about the opportunity of working with her."
 
Wainscott is a local product from Oswego, Ill., who attends Saint Francis High School in Wheaton, Ill. She has competed for Indy Premier at the club level.  
 
"Elle is a tall and physical defender that has the attributes we need to impact our team at the MAC level," O'Neill said. "Elle will also help us in possession where her composure and quality on the ball have shone at the youth level. Her strong work ethic and coachable nature will allow her to make an immediate impact."
 
Janzen comes to NIU from Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec, Canada. She competes as a midfielder for A.S. Blainville in Ligue1 Quebec based out of Blainville, Quebec, Canada.
 
"Alyssun is a very technical and intelligent player that will be a great addition to our program," O'Neill said. "Alyssun has competed and excelled at the highest youth soccer level, and we are excited to see the impact she makes here at NIU."
 
Newcombe is a forward from Carlisle, Ontario, Canada. She plays her club soccer with Scrosoppi FC in the Women's Premier Division.  
 
"Mya is a very dynamic and creative winger and is renowned for being one of the top players in the Toronto area," O'Neill said. "Mya's speed combined with her quality in 1v1 situations will make a big impact here at NIU and we are delighted to have her join the program."
 
Bilombo is a native of Laval, Quebec, Canada. She has competed as a forward and midfielder for CF Montreal in Ligue1 Quebec.  
 
"Laurina is a highly technical and intelligent forward that has competed at the highest level in Canada," O'Neill said. "Laurina's versatility in playing different positions across the front line will add great depth to our attacking unit and we are extremely excited about adding Laurina to the team."
 
Correa, a native of Des Plaines, Ill., attends Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Correa has seen time playing as both a forward and a midfielder at the club level for Sockers FC.
 
"Monica is another creative forward that will really help us create and score goals," O'Neill said. "She is currently the top scorer for her Sockers FC team and we are hopeful that she can add goals to our program right from the get-go. Monica's strong work ethic and coachable nature make me extremely excited to see where her college career can go."
 
The 2024 season marked the best record for the program since 2007 as the Huskies finished 9-5-5. Next season will mark O'Neill's fourth as head coach at NIU.
 
-- NIU --