MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois Women's Soccer program announced six new additions on Friday, February 16th. Among the additions, three come from the state of Iowa, one from Missouri, one from Wyoming, and one all the way from New Zealand.
Starting off the bunch, transfer forward Callie McMurtrey joined the Leathernecks earlier in January. McMurtrey spent a pair of seasons at Jefferson College, an NJCAA school in Hillsboro, Missouri. A native of Crocker, Missouri, McMurtrey was a two-time All-State selection out of Crocker High School. When asked about her decision to join WIU, Callie stated "I felt that Western has a great atmosphere for all student-athletes." She also noted the competitiveness of the OVC as another key reason for joining the Leathernecks.
Coming all the way from New Zealand, Hilary Halpin will join WIU in the fall. Hilary Halpin played left back and left wing for Carmel College in her home city, Auckland. Halpin was named a tournament MVP for her secondary school, and helped lead her secondary school team to A1 and A2 championships. Eager to join the Leathernecks, Halpin spoke highly of the current team, saying "I chose Western Illinois because I wanted to find a team that was not only strong athletically and shared similar competitive qualities but also prioritizes having a strong team bond on and off the field."
Another new addition who will be quite far away from home this fall will be Autumn Wilson. Wilson joins the Leathernecks hailing from Cody, Wyoming, via Northwest College, where Wilson spent two years. In her sophomore season, Wilson netted 16 goals in 16 games, and added on six assists to boot. On her time at NWC, Wilson stated that "I didn't realize how beneficial it was going to be for my future but… I've been so blessed by everything I've gotten from going to NWC and getting a better sense of my own game before transferring onto Western!" Wilson was also a three-time All-State selection at Cody High School, and looks to bring some offensive firepower to the Leathernecks.
Landry McCoid will join the Leathernecks in the fall after a successful season at Iowa Central Community College. McCoid went on an absolute tear in the fall of 2023, scoring 35 goals in 17 games, recording six hat tricks, including scoring five goals in a single game. McCoid went on to be named a First-Team All-American at Iowa Central, and was named the ICCAC Div. II Player of the Year as a freshman. "Western Illinois is a perfect fit," said McCoid when asked about her commitment to the program. "I feel like I will be able to compete at a level that is challenging, yet I can still offer a lot to the team. The community and campus feel like home."
A native of Iowa City, IA, Ava Bell will join Western Illinois in the fall as a true freshman. An attacking/outside midfielder, Bell attended Iowa City High School. Bell was named First Team All-Conference twice, and was Second Team All-State. Bell played for VSA Rush's travel team, a club soccer program based out of Ankeny. When asked about her decision to sign as a Leatherneck, Bell said that "the coaches and players made me feel comfortable and at home from the moment I stepped on campus. This team felt like a family."
A high school and club teammate of Bell's, Aoife Boulter also joins the Leathernecks. Boulter is a defensive midfielder who also earned Second Team All-State honors alongside her highschool teammate Bell. Boulter also played with VSA Rush. Boulter's coach described her as having "great field vision, and being coachable, hardworking, and kind." When asked about why she chose Western, Boulter stated that she loved the team dynamic and the great community of the team and campus.
Be on the lookout for the 2024 spring schedule, as Western Illinois Women's and Men's Soccer will get in some action this semester.
