WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Carroll University women's soccer program enters the 2026 season with a blend of familiarity and fresh perspective. A new season often brings renewed energy, fresh faces, and evolving expectations. For Carroll University women's soccer, 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter as Tom Torres steps into the role of head coach, bringing a vision shaped by his experience within the program and a desire to continue pushing it forward.

While Torres is no stranger to the sideline, the transition into the program's top role naturally creates opportunities for growth and change. After spending the past two years working closely with the team, he enters the season with a clear understanding of the roster, the culture, and the areas where the Pioneers can continue to improve. His focus has been on blending the strong relationships already established within the program with an increased emphasis on accountability, competition, and player development.

The result is a team entering the fall with both stability and ambition. Carroll returns a veteran core that includes eight seniors and fifth-year players while also welcoming a talented freshman class eager to make its mark. The combination gives the Pioneers a balance of experience and youthful energy as they prepare for another demanding season in one of Division III's toughest conferences.

For Torres, the objective is bigger than implementing tactics or filling out a lineup card. The goal is to build a team capable of competing at a high level while establishing standards that will shape the program for years to come. If early signs are any indication, the foundation for that future is already taking shape.

That foundation begins with leadership.

Carroll returns an experienced group headlined by captains Carmella Nowak, Tori Crivello, and Claudia Cramer, who will once again help guide the program on and off the field. Torres expects those three captains to set the tone for the entire roster, creating accountability, reinforcing standards, and helping the team navigate the challenges that come with a long season.

The leadership core extends well beyond those wearing the captain's armband. Allison McKinney has continued to develop into a respected voice within the program, while junior Ellie Patrickus has emerged as someone teammates naturally gravitate toward. Sophomores Alexa Karagiannis, Gabby Courtois, and Harlie Seuser, all of whom saw extensive playing time as freshmen, are expected to take on larger leadership roles as their confidence and experience continue to grow.
Those returning players provide more than leadership alone. They also offer continuity for a program focused on taking the next step.

Eight returning sophomores earned meaningful minutes during the 2025 season and now enter the fall with valuable collegiate experience already under their belts. Torres believes that group's growth could be one of the biggest factors in the team's development this season. Their experience helps bridge the gap between the veteran leaders and the program's newest additions while providing valuable depth throughout the roster.

Developing that next wave of contributors became a major focus throughout the offseason.

Torres and his staff identified technical ability, fitness, agility, and overall soccer intelligence as key areas for growth following the spring season. Players were challenged not only to improve physically but also to become students of the game, understanding their individual roles while gaining a deeper awareness of how different situations impact decision-making on the field. The objective was to create a more complete team, one capable of adapting and responding to whatever challenges arise during a match.

As Carroll continued to sharpen those areas, the veteran leaders played an important role in helping the program's newest players find their footing.

The seniors understand what it means to wear the Pio logo. They have invested years into the program, built relationships throughout campus and the community, and now have the opportunity to pass those values along to a freshman class of 12 newcomers. That mentorship has already become evident throughout preseason, where upperclassmen have worked intentionally to welcome newer players and strengthen the team's chemistry.

The newcomers bring an exciting mix of energy and potential. Freshmen Madison Milhaupt, Leonora Loos, Grace Walczak, Ella Husman, and Liv Tomczyk headline a class the coaching staff believes can continue to develop throughout the season. Transfer Michaela Williamson arrives after previous stops at Northeastern and Chicago State and is expected to make an immediate impact in the attacking third, adding experience and depth to the roster.
With the roster beginning to take shape, the focus now shifts to how Carroll wants to play.

The Pioneers aim to play an intelligent and adaptable style of soccer built around possession, decision-making, and technical precision. Carroll wants to be comfortable controlling the ball and dictating the tempo whenever possible. At the same time, the coaching staff recognizes that every match presents different challenges, and the team's tactical approach will adjust accordingly.

Rather than forcing players into one rigid system, Torres wants his squad to understand the game well enough to identify opportunities and make decisions based on what is unfolding in front of them. Whether facing a high press, transitioning quickly into attack, defending direct play, or maintaining possession in key moments, the emphasis remains on understanding roles and executing with confidence.

While Carroll hopes to be more dynamic in possession, the team's identity will continue to be rooted in its defensive commitment.

The team is looking to improve their goals against average last season with a much stingier defense for the upcoming campaign. Torres believes defending extends far beyond the back line and goalkeeper. Every player on the field has a responsibility to contribute through pressure, positioning, communication, and winning individual battles.

Maintaining that defensive mentality remains a priority entering 2026. At the same time, increasing offensive production has become a major point of emphasis. Carroll scored 16 goals last season and hopes to generate more opportunities while maintaining the defensive structure that has become a hallmark of the program. Creating more chances, spending more time in dangerous attacking areas, and putting consistent pressure on opponents will be key areas to watch throughout the year.
That balance between defensive stability and offensive growth will be tested early.

The schedule presents several valuable measuring sticks throughout the nonconference portion of the season. A season-opening matchup against UW-La Crosse provides an immediate opportunity to gauge the progress made since last year's meeting between the two programs. A clash with perennial regional power Loras offers another significant benchmark, while contests against Edgewood, Marian, and other opponents will provide valuable opportunities for players to establish themselves before conference play begins.

Those early tests are designed to prepare Carroll for the challenge that awaits every season in the CCIW.

Widely regarded as one of the strongest conferences in Division III women's soccer, the league demands consistency, resilience, and depth from top to bottom. Torres believes health will be one of the most important factors throughout conference play, making player management and roster depth critical as the season progresses. The experiences gained during the nonconference schedule will be relied upon heavily once the calendar turns and the race for conference positioning begins.
Of course, success for this team extends beyond the standings.

The Pioneers posted a 3.44 team GPA during the spring semester and remain committed to excelling in the classroom while competing at a high level on the field. Carroll's goals include maintaining that academic success, staying healthy, continuing to develop as a team, and earning a return trip to the CCIW Tournament after narrowly missing out a season ago.

By the end of the fall, Torres hopes the team's growth will be evident in more ways than wins and losses. He believes this group possesses more soccer intelligence, resilience, and togetherness than many people realize. If the Pioneers continue building upon their leadership, embracing accountability, and supporting one another through the challenges of the season, those qualities will become increasingly apparent.

For a program entering a new era, the focus is not solely on immediate results. It is about building a foundation, strengthening a culture, and continuing to move forward together. If Carroll can accomplish those goals, the 2026 season may be remembered not only for what the Pioneers achieved on the field, but for the standard they established moving forward.