DEKALB, Ill. – Six members of the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team, Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central), Lauren Mrugala (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North), Aubrey Robertson (Fishers, Ind./Fishers), Sarah Roy (Saint-Julie, Quebec/College de Montreal), Jordyn Saddler (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper) and Alyssa Stephenson (Oakville, Ontario/St. Ignatius of Loyola), were named to the Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Communicators on Tuesday (Nov. 25). 

McLaughlin, a business administration major with a 3.71 grade point average, played in all 17 matches in 2025, making 16 starts. The Greenfield, Ind., native scored the game-winning goal against Western Michigan (Oct. 9) and also recorded a pair of assists. This is the second consecutive year McLaughlin has earned Academic All-District honors. 

Mrugala has a 4.0 GPA while majoring in communicative disorders. She started all 17 matches for the Huskies, playing primarily in defensive midfield, and scored her first career goal against Eastern Michigan (Oct. 26). Mrugala played the full 90 minutes in eight matches, including each of the last six to end the season. 

Robertson, who is majoring in nutrition sciences and has a 3.558 GPA, appeared in 14 matches for the Huskies in 2025, starting all 14 games along the backline. The Fishers, Ind., native played the full 90 minutes in eight matches and helped NIU record four shutouts. 

Roy holds a 3.908 GPA while majoring in mechanical engineering. She played in all 17 matches for the Huskies in 2025, including a trio of starts. Roy recorded an assist against Eastern Michigan (Oct. 26). 

Saddler, a graduate student working on her master's degree in marriage and family therapy, has a 3.991 GPA. The Brooklyn Park, Minn., native started all 17 games along the backline for the Huskies in 2025, helping NIU record five shutouts. Saddler played the full 90 minutes in seven matches. 

Stephenson is a business administration major with a 3.968 GPA. She appeared in all 17 matches in 2025, making 16 starts. Stephenson scored a pair of goals, including the game-winning goal against Eastern Illinois (Aug. 31), and also tallied an assist in NIU's victory over Western Michigan (Oct. 9). 

To be eligible for College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, a student-athlete must have a 3.5 GPA, sophomore standing and have played in 90 percent of a team's matches or started 66 percent.

NIU Academic All-District Honorees
Kelsi McLaughlin, Business Administration, 3.71
Lauren Mrugala, Communicative Disorders, 4.0
Aubrey Robertson, Nutrition Sciences, 3.558
Sarah Roy, Mechanical Engineering, 3.908
Jordyn Saddler, Marriage and Family Therapy, 3.991
Alyssa Stephenson, Business Administration, 3.968