Four Women's Soccer athlete earn Academic All-District

Four Willamette student-athletes have been named to the 2025-26 Academic All-District® Women's Soccer Team. Elle Bachhuber, Siera Edwards, Maddee Reid, and Claire Warthen all earned the Academic All-District honor.

The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Women's Soccer teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes women's soccer honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

Players nominated for the CSC All-District Team must have competed in 90 percent or started in at least 66 percent of the institution's matches while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale

Elle Bachhuber: CSC Academic All-District

A reliable presence in the engine room for the Bearcats, [First Name] Bachhuber anchored the midfield for the Willamette soccer team during the competitive 2025-26 campaign. Participating in 19 matches, Bachhuber became a fixture in the squad, valued for her consistency and tactical discipline.

Her statistical contribution was highlighted by an assist on November 8, setting up the crucial goal in the team's hard-fought 1-1 draw against conference rival Pacific (OR). While this marked her sole point of the season, her true value lay beyond the scoresheet. She consistently executed her duties in the midfield, providing an essential two-way link between the defense and the attack. Her disciplined play, evidenced by the clean sheet in the goal and shots-on-goal columns, underscores her commitment to maintaining possession and fulfilling her defensive assignments. Bachhuber's reliability and participation in every phase of play were vital as Willamette navigated a season filled with several closely contested matches and draws.

Siera Edwards: CSC Academic All-District

During the 2025-26 season, Edwards anchored Willamette's defense from the goalkeeper position. Edwards appeared in 18 matches, starting all 17 of them, and her contributions were pivotal in the net. She led the team in several key statistical categories, including saves, with a total of 60, and faced 199 shots throughout the season. Edwards was also at the forefront with 24 goals against, showcasing her presence and resilience in goal.

In a season where defensive solidity was crucial, Edwards managed to keep two clean sheets, including a shutout against George Fox University on September 12, where she made one save in a 90-minute performance. Her efforts contributed to a combined shutout in the match against George Fox University on October 15, where she played 83 minutes.

Siera's ability to consistently perform under pressure was evident in games such as the one against Whitman College on October 18, where she recorded a season-high of eight saves, splitting them between two halves with two saves in the first and six in the second. Her involvement in every minute of her 17 starts underscores her critical role and endurance as Willamette's last line of defense.

Maddee Reid: CSC Academic All-District

Reid made her mark on the Willamette soccer team during the 2025-26 season with her defensive capabilities and contributions on the field. Over the course of 19 games, Reid was a consistent presence, helping to stabilize the team's backline. She recorded two assists during the season, one of which came in a notable 2-1 victory against Whitworth University on September 20. In that game, Reid's assist showcased her ability to contribute offensively from her defensive position.

Throughout the season, Reid took a total of six shots, with four of them on target, demonstrating her precision when she chose to advance into attacking positions. Her defensive tenacity was evident as she committed eight fouls across the season, a testament to her active involvement in disrupting opposition play. Reid's efforts on the field were integral to Willamette's performance, offering both defensive solidity and occasional offensive support.

Claire Warthen: CSC Academic All-District

Warthen played a pivotal role for Willamette during the 2025-26 soccer season, participating in 19 games. As a midfielder, she led the team in several key statistical categories, including goals, points, shots, and shots on goal. Warthen scored a total of six goals across the season, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts with 10 points. Her accuracy in front of the net was evident, as she registered 19 shots on goal from 38 total shots.

Notably, Warthen's ability to score from set pieces was highlighted by her two goals from free kicks, a team-leading performance in this category. One of her standout performances came against Warner Pacific University on September 7, where she netted two goals on six shots, showcasing her offensive prowess. Another significant contribution was made during the match against Lewis & Clark on October 11, where she again scored twice, contributing to a 2-2 draw.

Throughout the season, Warthen's consistent presence in the midfield and her ability to create and convert scoring opportunities made her an integral part of the Willamette lineup. Her contributions were critical to the team's overall performance during the season.