Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney women's soccer coach Rob Breton today announced the names of two mid-year transfers.

The pair joined the Lopers this past January and went through winter conditioning and the spring exhibition season. The newcomers are center backs Ashley Bredthauer (Lincoln East H.S./Oral Roberts U., Oka.) and Maddy Province (Kearney H.S./Northeast C.C.). 

UNK will soon announce its eight-member incoming fall class. The Lopers had to replace seven players off last year's squad. 

"I was very excited that we were able to bring in two players during the spring semester.  Normally this helps the players adapt to life at UNK, get a better connection and friendship with their teammates, and grow into our system without the demands of immediate results looming over their head," said Breton. "Ashley and Maddy came in and fit into the team right away, helping raise our standards through their work ethic in our spring workouts."

Bredthauer (5-1) was at Division I ORU for the last 1.5 years where she was a member of the Summit League Honor Roll for the Golden Eagles. At East she was a Class honorable mention all-state selection and team co-captain. Bredthauer helped the Spartans win 36 games and reach the state tournament three times between 2021-23.

"Ashley is a great addition to our backline for the future. She was a standout player at Lincoln East and after playing at Oral Roberts, knows how to be a hard-nosed defender while being a build out of the back player as well," said Breton. "Ashley brings grit, hard work, and a lot of fire to our team this fall. Bringing another great Nebraska player back home to help us get better is always a plus."

Province (5-9) spent the past two falls at Northeast C.C. in Norfolk where she was part of a Nighthawks program that won 34 games and reached the 2024 NJCAA National Tournament. She appeared in 38 games (27 starts) and recorded 14 points on five goals and four assists. For the Bearcats, Province was a defender and midfielder who earned h.m. Class A all-state honors as a senior. 

"Maddy has the potential to be a big-time player for us. Very athletic, great in one-on-one defending, physical and willing to do whatever is needed to block shots," said Breton. "I'm excited for Maddy to be here after spending two seasons at Northeast Community College where she really was able to gain minutes and valuable experience to be ready to play right away for us.  Adding another homegrown player to our team is big for us."

The Lopers went 8-6-5 in 2024, reaching the MIAA Tournament for the first time in nine years and setting several new team school-records. UNK reports to fall camp in mid-August with the regular season beginning Sept. 5 at Concordia-St. Paul.