Western Kentucky’s women’s soccer team has announced six signees in the 2025 class. The class includes three signees from Tennessee and one from Kentucky, Florida and Nevada.

“Our 2025 recruiting class are proven winners on and off the field,” WKU coach Jason Neidell said in a news release. “Not only are they talented soccer players, but they are also tremendous individuals who will be great Hilltoppers in every respect. Our locker room and culture will benefit from their presence, and they will impact the field in positive ways. The future is bright with this class of signees.”

Lauren Alexander, a 5-foot-11 defender, was a three-year captain at Chattanooga Christian School and started in more than 70 games. She scored 59 goals and notched 55 assists. She was named all-region all four years of high school, all-state twice and team MVP four times. She won the Golden Boot award twice and won the Playmaker Award. She led her team to appearances in the state elite eight twice. She and the team were runners up in the region in 2023.

Alexander played with the Chattanooga RedWolves on the club side for four years, but played club soccer for a total of 14 years. She and the RedWolves were State Cup champions twice and National League Pro East champions. She was named to the State Cup All-Tournament Team twice.

“Lauren brings a great blend of athleticism, composure, and ability to our lineup and will immediately be competitive along our back line to help replace the loss of three starting defenders,” Neidell said.

Makenna Egan, a 5-10 forward from Palm Harbor, Florida, led Palm Harbor University High School to the state tournament final four twice and multiple regional and district championships. She was named to the Pinellas All-County Team. She was a four-year starter and notched 30 goals and 13 assists in her time at the school.

On the club side, Egan played with the West Florida Flames 2005 Girls Eastlake for three years. She and the team won the State Cup and were DPL (Development Player League) finals runners up, Disney runners up, and DPL Summit champs. In club play, Egan scored 93 goals and had 66 assists. She is currently the team captain.

“Makenna finds ways to be involved in goal-scoring opportunities,” Neidell said. “She manufactures chances and scores herself. We are excited to add another dynamic attacking player to help us improve our goal-scoring output.”

Mackenzie Howard, a 5-6 midfielder from Athens, Tennessee, led McMinn County High School to two district championships and was named the district Offensive MVP. She was named to the all-district first team twice and second team once. She also was named to the all-region first team twice and the second team once.

On the club side, Howard played with Football Club Alliance 2007 ECNL.

“Mackenzie has a positive energy, drive, and growth mindset that is ideal for the college environment,” Neidell said. “She is quick on the dribble, and her skill set will help us be more dynamic in the attack to unlock defenses.”

Natalie Knecht, a 5-8 midfielder from Richmond had an impressive career at Madison Central High School, where she led the team to a Region 11 championship in 2023. She was the Region 11 Tournament Most Valuable Player that year and was selected to the all-state Team. In 2024, she was named to the Region 11 All-Tournament Team, all-region first team and all-state second team. She finished her high school career with 64 goals scored.

Knecht played with the Lexington Sport Club GA (Girls Academy) from 2018 through 2025. She was selected to the GA Mid-America Talent ID event and the GA National Talent ID event in 2024.

“One of Kentucky’s best players graduating this year, Natalie will be a huge asset in our midfield,” Neidell said. “She is a smart player with the ability to connect the game while also embracing the physical side.”

Jacey Phillips, a 5-6 defender from Las Vegas, Nevada, will come to WKU as a four-year varsity starter and team captain at Faith Lutheran High School. She led her team to the 5A state championship where they were finalists twice. During her time on the team, Phillips earned Defensive Player of the Year, Most Inspirational Award and the Coaches Award.

On the club side, Phillips plays with the LV Heat Surf Soccer Club 2007 in the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and previously played with Albion Soccer Club 2006 in the GA (Girls Academy). With Albion, she led the team to two State Cup championships in Nevada. During her club soccer career, she was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Top 50 Defenders list and the IMG Academy Top 150 List. She also earned spots at the GA Mountain West Talent ID Event, GA Southwest Conference Talent ID Camp, Albion National Elite Travel Team.

Other teams she played on includes: USYS (United States Youth Soccer) ODP (Olympic Development Program) international team in Manchester, England, USYS ODP West 2007 Girls Interregional Team twice, USYS West ODP Summer ID twice and the USYS ODP Nevada and West 2007 Girls Player Pool Selection.

“Jacey is a proven winner who has overcome great adversity to put herself in position to play and compete at the college level,” Neidell said. “With her mentality and athleticism, she will be an impact player and an invaluable Hilltopper.”

Ansley Rice, a 5-8 defender from Hendersonville, Tennessee, led Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School to the state tournament quarterfinals in 2022 and 2023. She was a captain with the team as a junior and senior. She was named all-county first team twice, DII-AA All-Middle Region twice and DII-AA All-State. Rice earned the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. During her time with the team, she started in 60 games and finished as the second all-time leading assists earner in school history with 33.

On the club side, Rice played with the Tennessee Soccer Club (TSC) ECNL 2007 team for four years. She and the team played in the national playoffs four times and were Ohio Valley Conference Champions in 2023. She also played with the ODP (Olympic Development Program) state team 2018-21 and the ODP regional pool in 2020.

“Ansley follows a long-standing tradition of successful players from the Tennessee Soccer Club,” Neidell said. “She is a valuable attacking back with the athleticism and speed to play both sides of the ball effectively.”