Rock Valley College Women's Soccer Welcomes 23 New Additions for the 2025 Season
Building on Success
Rock Valley College continues its rise in NJCAA Division II women's soccer, following a record-setting 2024 season. The Golden Eagles posted a 17-4-1 record—the most wins in program history—while recording 13 shutouts, conceding only four goals in Region 4 play, and achieving a +72 goal differential.
The team extended its remarkable 33-game unbeaten streak in Region 4 competition, capturing back-to-back Region 4 Championships and Midwest District titles. Their efforts earned them the #7 seed at the NJCAA DII National Tournament, where they finished ranked #6 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll. During this stretch, twelve Golden Eagles have advanced to NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA programs.
Head Coach Kevan Watkins praised the blend of experience and new talent joining the roster:
"We have a very impressive class of incoming players that we are looking forward to welcoming this fall. We have a good mix of returners from last season's success, along with top local talent from Rockford and the Chicago area. We're also adding out-of-state players from Georgia and Wisconsin, plus a little international flair from France and Scotland to add to the team dynamics."
The 2025 class brings extensive backgrounds in ECNL, ECNL RL, NPL, and top-level club competition, along with several decorated high school multi-sport athletes. Watkins noted that the group has been "flying" through preseason and is already demonstrating strong on-field chemistry.
That momentum carried into the season opener at the Midwest Kickoff Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Rock Valley defeated two nationally ranked opponents: NJCAA DII #13 Anne Arundel (MD), 3-2, in a rematch of last year's national tournament, and #16 Northeast CC (NE), 3-2.
With a strong returning core and a deep incoming class, the Golden Eagles are poised to continue their ascent in Region 4 and on the national stage.
Meet the 2025 Recruiting Class
Goalkeepers
Kristina Vinger | Fr. | Dodgeville, WI | Dodgeville High School
Vinger played club soccer for Iowa County Soccer Club and was a three-time SWC All-Conference selection. At Dodgeville High School, she helped her team capture four straight conference championships.
Coach Watkins: "Kristina brings athleticism and fearlessness between the goalposts. I am looking forward to the calming presence she will bring to the back line when she is in goal."
Rebecca "Bex" Hickey | Fr. | Dallas, GA | Lambert High School
Hickey was a four-time varsity starter at four different high schools and was ranked among the top three goalkeepers in Georgia. She earned selection to the USYS Region 3 All-Tournament Team and posted a 0.7 GAA across her high school career. She played club soccer with All-In FC (GA) and previously trained with Darlington Academy.
Coach Watkins: "Bex has had a great foundation of goalkeeping training. She is technically sound and brave. Goalkeeping runs in the family, and I am excited to see her come in and make an impact at Rock Valley."
Kaillie Murphy | Fr. | Belvidere, IL | Belvidere North High School
Murphy was a two-year starting goalkeeper for Belvidere North, helping her team to a 19-3-2 record, a sectional championship, and an IHSA Super-Sectional appearance as a senior. As a junior, she collected 20 wins against just two losses, reaching the sectional final.
Coach Watkins: "Kaillie has had a fantastic two years on varsity on a very good team. I saw her develop over the last two seasons and knew she could make an impact at the college level. She also has the ability to come up with game-changing saves, such as her PK save in the sectional final. I am happy to have a good group of dependable keepers who will all fight for a spot on the field."
Defenders
Alexandria Vitale | Fr. | Winnebago, IL | Winnebago High School
Vitale played for Winnebago High School and Winnebago Storm club team. Alex was a team captain and finished her 4 year varsity career scoring 35 goals and adding 4 assists.
Coach Watkins: "Alex has speed, work ethic, and versatility. She can play multiple positions, creating problems in attack and helping defensively."
Alizabeth "Liz" Walker | Fr. | Rockton, IL | Hononegah High School
Walker played club soccer for Rock SC Rush and was a standout at Hononegah High School. She earned NIC-10 All-Conference recognition and received the All-Sectional Sportsmanship Award.
Coach Watkins: "Watching Liz in high school the past few seasons, I have seen her become more comfortable and confident on the ball. She will be able to step straight in and play centrally or wide in both a four- or three-back system."
Aniah Schaffer | Fr. | Roscoe, IL | Hononegah High School
Schaffer was a four-year starter at Hononegah. She earned All-Conference and Coach's Award recognition as a sophomore, was captain and All-Conference / All-Sectional as a junior, and capped her senior season as captain, All-State First Team selection, and team MVP. She also played ECNL soccer with the Rockford Raptors FC.
Coach Watkins: "We are looking forward to having Aniah as part of our program. She is a versatile player who can play as a center back or central midfielder. Aniah brings leadership and experience that can help guide the backline in and out of possession."
Betty Flores | Fr. | Rochelle, IL | Rochelle Township High School
Flores was a four-year varsity player and two-time "Defender of the Year" at Rochelle Township. She earned back-to-back Interstate 8 All-Conference honors (2024–25) and Academic Honorable Mention in 2025. She played club soccer for Shadow Premier FC, competing in the Illinois Cup, Dimitri Cup, and Celtic Cup.
Coach Watkins: "Betty is comfortable with the ball at her feet, which is perfect for the way we want to play. She is quick, aggressive, and not afraid to make a tackle. I think she will provide great work rate as an outside back with the energy to get forward and join the attack."
Hanna Münch | Fr. | Nantes, France | Lycée Georges Clémenceau
Münch played for GF Nantes Est, winning Departmental Championships at U15 and U18 levels. Her team also finished fourth regionally at the pre-national level. She was selected as a ball kid for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and has coached youth players ages 9–11 after completing several coaching certifications.
Coach Watkins: "Hanna will step in and fill one of the center back roles. She is smart on the ball, comfortable in possession, and can play in a back two or three. These qualities are key for us in building attacks and keeping clean sheets."
Isabelle "Izzy" Main | Fr. | Belvidere, IL | Belvidere North High School
Main was a four-year varsity player and recipient of the IHSA Sectionals Sportsmanship Award. In her senior year, she helped Belvidere North to a 19-3-2 record, a sectional championship, and a Super-Sectional appearance. She played club soccer with Shadow Premier FC, competing in multiple state-level finals.
Coach Watkins: "Izzy is another top defender from the Rockford area with a lot of experience in winning cultures. She is comfortable with the ball at her feet, which is a priority for our outside backs as we look to dominate possession and get defenders involved in the attack."
Lydia Sherburne | Fr. | Byron, IL | Rockford Christian High School
Sherburne was a four-year varsity starter at Rockford Christian. She earned multiple All-Conference honors (2022–25), was named to the Genoa-Kingston All-Tournament Team in 2024, and twice received All-Sectional Honorable Mention. She also served as a two-year team captain. At the club level, she played for Shadow Premier FC, helping her team to several state cup finals.
Coach Watkins: "Lydia has played in multiple areas for club and high school. She will likely be part of our back line, fitting into her preferred role as an outside back. Her ability to get forward into the attack is ideal with our game model, and I have been very impressed with her start to the season."
Rachel Busker | Fr. | Freeport, IL | Freeport High School
Busker was a four-year varsity athlete, winning 44 games and earning multiple team awards including Top Midfield (2022), Hardest Worker (2023), Spirit Award (2025), and Commitment to Excellence (2025). She also served as a kicker for the football team. She played ECNL and ECNL-RL club soccer with Rockford Raptors, reaching the 2022 ECNL-RL National Final in Seattle, WA.
Coach Watkins: "Rachel is versatile, able to play central midfield, outside back, center back, or wing back. I see her primarily as an outside back, supporting our attack from a back three. I am excited to see her return from injury and contribute this season."
Midfielders
Sareth Marquez | Fr. | Rockford, IL | Jefferson High School
Marquez played club soccer for Shadow Premier FC and was a four-year varsity starter at Jefferson High School, serving as a two-time team captain. She earned two All-Sectional Honorable Mentions, was named Illinois Premiership Prime Time Player of the Week, and helped her teams reach the Illinois Cup Final, Dimitri Cup Final, and Celtic Cup Championship.
Coach Watkins: "Sareth has been a great addition to the program. I see her getting time in an attacking role where she can create chances for herself and her teammates. She will continue to improve her production and make an impact with our program."
Izze Fritz | Fr. | Rockford, IL | Boylan Catholic High School / Loyola University transfer
Fritz joins Rock Valley as a redshirt freshman transferring from Loyola University. At Boylan High School she recorded 35 goals and 25 assists, earning All NIC-10 First Team, All-Sectional, and First Team All-NIC 10 Scholar Athlete honors. She helped her teams reach two regional titles and an Elite 8 IHSA State Tournament appearance. Izze played club soccer for Eclipse Select SC ECNL and Rockford Raptors ECNL.
Coach Watkins: "Izze is a positive leader who has stepped in as the team captain. Her club and college experience will be invaluable in guiding the program. She can play multiple positions and will strengthen our midfield while helping solidify a dangerous, mobile attack."
Joscelyn Posada | Fr. | Cherry Valley, IL | Boylan Catholic High School
Posada was a four-time NIC-10 Conference Champion and First Team selection in the central midfield. She finished her high school career with 40 goals and 37 assists, helping Boylan to four straight NIC-10 titles and the 2025 Sectional Final. She played for the Rockford Raptors FC in the ECNL and ECNL-RL platforms. She reached the 2022 ECNL-RL National Final in Seattle with Rockford Raptors 06.
Coach Watkins: "Joscelyn brings dynamic mobility, vision, and technical ability to central midfield. She makes the game look effortless, is deceptive in her movements, and brilliant in tight areas."
Zoe Larson | Fr. | Rockford, IL | Stillman Valley High School
Larson was a four-year varsity player, winning 51 games. She served as team captain, earned All-Conference Honorable Mentions in junior and senior years, and received a Bronze Academic Medal. She contributed 11 goals and 13 assists from midfield over her high school career.
Coach Watkins: "Zoe has high energy, tenacity, and covers a lot of ground in midfield. We are looking forward to a fantastic future for her with our program."
Kacey White | Fr. | Edinburgh, Scotland | St Davids High School
White played for Bonnyrigg Rose U18s, winning the League and League Cup in 2024, school league in 2023, and finishing as Denmark Cup finalists in 2023.
Coach Watkins: "I am excited to have Kacey join the program. She adds international experience and can play multiple roles along the spine of the team."
Samantha Wendt | Fr. | Genoa-Kingston, IL | Genoa-Kingston High School
Wendt was a four-year varsity athlete, helping her team achieve one of the best records in school history (21-3). She earned BNC All-Conference and All-Conference Scholar honors each year, team MVP three times, and set career assist and goal records with 55 goals and 40 assists. She also played for Shadow Premier FC.
Coach Watkins: "Sam has played in central midfield and center back. I see her strengthening the spine of the team and increasing productivity in front of goal, especially by helping find players in attacking areas."
Daniela Bernal-Pulido | Fr. | Bogotá, Colombia | Warren Township High School
Bernal-Pulido played for Warren Township and Lake FC (Chicago), competing in IWSL and NPL. She participated in showcases such as Midwest Cup and College Showcase – Bettendorf and helped Lake FC to third place in the 2022 Target USA Cup.
Coach Watkins: "Dani is a dynamic central midfielder who excels in tight spaces and has good vision to create attacking opportunities for herself and teammates."
Forwards
Crystal Garcia | Fr. | Mendota, IL | Mendota High School
Garcia was a four-year varsity standout and News Tribune Girls Soccer Athlete of the Year (2025). She scored 87 goals over her high school career, served as team captain, and led her team to record-breaking wins and shutouts. She also played club for Astra SC, winning the Labor Day Soccer Festival.
Coach Watkins: "Crystal is a direct and natural goal scorer. She uses her pace to drive at defenders and excels in 1v1 situations. She will contribute immediately in goals and assists."
Emilia Arias | Fr. | Carpentersville, IL | Dundee Crown High School
Arias scored 48 career goals, including 36 as a senior, helping Dundee Crown to an 11-8-3 record in spring 2023. She was First Team All-Conference and All-Sectional, played club for Elgin Pumas and Goleadores FC (NPL finalist), and serves in the National Guard.
Coach Watkins: "Emilia is a dynamic and clinical attacking player. She finds great spaces and can set up teammates or score herself."
Johanna Hawley | Fr. | Rockford, IL | Boylan Catholic High School
Hawley was a four-year varsity player, part of a Boylan Catholic team that won four consecutive NIC-10 Conference titles and 73 total games over her career. She competed in sectionals and super-sectionals each year and played club soccer for Rockford Raptors FC in ECNL and ECNL-RL platforms.
Coach Watkins: "I am excited to have Johanna join the program. She brings fantastic mobility in wide areas and can use her speed to exploit defenders. She will step right in and contribute to the scoresheet."
Kassandra Jimenez | Fr. | Belvidere, IL | Boylan Catholic High School
Jimenez scored 16 goals as a freshman and sophomore, earned All-Sectional Honorable Mention, and helped Boylan Catholic to a 16-3-2 record, NIC-10 title, regional title, and IHSA 2A Sectional Final. She played club for Shadow Premier and Rockford Raptors (ECNL and ECNL-RL).
Coach Watkins: "Kass will make an immediate impact as a central forward who can hold the ball, attack crosses, and make runs into channels. She adds height and physicality to challenge opposition defenses."
Natalie Mandera | Fr. | Loves Park, IL | Belvidere North High School
Mandera helped her team to a sectional championship and Super Sectional appearance. She scored five goals and added three assists as a senior. Played club for Shadow Premier FC, contributing to Illinois Cup, Dimitri Cup, and Celtic Cup championships.
Coach Watkins: "Natalie is a positive attacking player with great pace and work rate. She will challenge defenses and provide versatility across the attack."
Looking Ahead
With a proven core of returners and the largest recruiting class in program history, Rock Valley College is poised to remain a contender in Region 4 and on the national stage.
"This is one of the deepest and most talented groups we've brought in," said Coach Watkins. "Combined with our returners, I believe we are positioned to continue competing at the top level."
The Golden Eagles continue non-conference play through September before beginning their Region 4 title defense later this fall.
