Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney head women's soccer coach Rob Breton announced today the names of six newcomers who'll take to the pitch for the Lopers this fall. 

The mid-year transfer is Anna Thorhallsdottir (Iceland) who has three seasons of eligibility remaining after spending fall 2023 at Division I Nicholls (La.) State. She is believed to be the first Icelandic Loper and will go through 2024 winter workouts and spring practice. 

The prep stars joining in August are Emily Brown (Woodland Hills, Calif./Louisville H.S.), Chloe Edmunds (Boise, Idaho/Capital H.S.), Billie Forrest (Taylorsville, Utah/Real Salt Lake Academy), Serene Hamzeh (Iowa City, Ia./West H.S.) and Daniella Iaquinta (Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail H.S). UNK had seven seniors on its 2023 roster.

Thorhallsdottir logged 396 minutes in 15 appearances (one start) for the NSU Colonels. She played a season-best 55 minutes vs. Southeastern Louisiana and 49 minutes against Southern Miss. The 5-8 center midfielder graduated from Commercial College of Iceland in her hometown of Reykjavík and was part of the Haukar club program.

 

Next, Brown (5-9) was a multi-year starting keeper at Louisville High School in Los Angeles. She also was part of the successful NVSC Breakaway club team and managed 21 shut outs and a 0.67 GAA in 2022. Brown stopped three penalty kicks to help the squad win the National Cup.

Edmunds, a 5-5 left-footed outside back, was an all-state selection for the Capital High Eagles and a member of Indie Chicas club team. Team captain of both squads, Brown was Team MVP for CHS and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

A 5-5 center midfielder, Hamzeh (5-5) earned all-league honors for the IC West Trojans. The National Honor Society member also played in the Girls Academy league with the VSA/Rush team out of Ankeny, was part of the Iowa ODP and the Cedar River Soccer Association. 

Finally, Forrest (5-4) and Iaquinta (5-9) are a pair of high-scoring wings. Forrest was a member of the Salt Lake Academy High School and Utah Avalanche ECRL teams with Iaquinta a two-time Cherokee Trial team captain. She also was an ODP Regional Selection camp call up and a two-time state cup champ.

UNK is currently going through winter workouts with its first spring exhibition game slated for March 3 (Sunday) vs. Division I South Dakota State in Columbus. Game time and the site are TBA.