Predicted to finish 14th in the Big Ten, only the Gophers soccer team knew the potential they had.
After defying expectations, they are right back to square one after losing in the third round of the NCAA tournament this year. The Gophers will lose players this offseason, many of which were starters for the whole season.
The most notable losses are forward Khyah Harper, midfielders Sophia Boman, Sophia Romine, Jelena Zbiljic, Evelyn Calhoon, Ally Childers and defender Elizabeth Overberg.
Harper and Boman won a multitude of awards this season.
Harper finished with the ninth most goals in the nation, won Big Ten Forward of the Year, made the All-Big Ten First Team, United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-America Second Team and All-North Region First Team.
Boman earned All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team and All-North Region Second Team.
Incoming Freshmen
To fill the void left by the nine players leaving, the Gophers brought in nine freshmen for the 2025 season.
Emily Buescher
From Naperville, Illinois, Buescher attended Naperville North High School and played for the Chicago FC United Girls Academy (GA).
During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Buescher was named to the all-conference, all-section and all-area team.
When asked by the Chicago Tribune about her sister, who played collegiate soccer at Illinois State University, the Naperville native gave a serious answer.
“She loves to win, I hate to lose,” Buescher said. “I think part of that is she is the oldest. So she was used to being on top, and I was used to being on the bottom. So I don’t like losing.”
Tyra Chu
From Sterling Heights, Michigan, Chu attended Athens High School and played for the Nationals SC Elite Club National League (ECNL).
Chu spent time with current Gophers soccer player Kate Childers on their club team, Detroit City FC, which was the 2024 USL W League Central Conference Champions.
Sawyer Danielson
From St. Paul, Minnesota, Danielson attended St. Paul Academy and played for the Minnesota Thunder Academy (MTA) ECNL.
Danielson was part of three MTA teams that competed in National Qualifiers in 2021, 2023 and 2024. She was named to the All-State and All-Conference teams three years in a row.
“It felt like home right away, on my visit and I missed it once I left,” Danielson said. “I love the campus and how it’s in the city … I love the feeling and atmosphere at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.”
Emily Filbrun
From Saline, Michigan Filbrun attended Saline High School and played for the Michigan Hawks ECNL.
Filbrun is a three-time ECNL Midwest Conference champion and two-time ECNL Midwest Conference first-team member.
“I think Minnesota will provide me with the competitive environment I look for in soccer and academics,” Filbrun said when asked why she chose Minnesota.
Hannah Heinlein
From El Dorado Hills, California Heinlein attended Oak Ridge High School and played for the San Juan Soccer Club ECNL.
Heinlein and San Juan Soccer Club finished last season fifth in the ECNL and finished in the Second Team All-League ECNL Conference while making the First Team All-League ECNL Conference in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, she and her teammates won the Norcal Division I state championship.
Jacqueline Keller
From River Forest, Illinois, Keller attended Fenwick High School and played for the Galaxy SC GA.
Keller will provide a backup goalkeeper role to current Gopher Sarah Martin. She also played basketball and lacrosse during her time at Fenwick.
“On my visit when I formally met the staff I had no doubt I would commit if offered,” Keller said.
Mya Nugent
From Long Grove, Illinois, Nugent attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School and played for the FC United GA.
Nuget received invitations to United States Youth National Team Talent Identifiers (USYNT ID) from 2018-2024.
“Athletically, it’s very competitive in the Big Ten conference,” Nugent said. “There’s a great team culture and staff that cares about the development and success of their athletes.”
Brenna Schoenfelder
From Castle Pines, Colorado, Schoenfelder attended Rock Canyon High School and played for the Real Colorado ECNL Athletico.
As a goalkeeper with Rock Canyon, Schoenfelder finished high school as a two-time conference champion and runner-up of two state championships.
Tenley Senden
From Medina, Minnesota, Senden attended Wayzata High School and played for the Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL.
“Ever since I’ve known about the University of Minnesota, I’ve wanted to go there,” Senden said. “Knowing it’s close to home and both my parents played sports there made me want to go there even more.”
Senden is a third-generation Gophers athlete. Her mother was a part of the gymnastics team, her father played on the hockey team and her grandfather was the football team’s defensive coordinator.
Her older sister Brynn Senden is currently on the women’s basketball team.
In the last three years, Tenley Senden and her Wayzata team finished in the quarterfinals, as state champion runner-ups and finally as state champions in 2024.
