The Iowa Lakes women's soccer team has earned their first ever trip to compete in the NJCAA DII National Tournament. The Lakers earn the 7th seed and will open pool play on November 17th at 12:30pm vs 11th seeded Southern Union CC and November 18th at 12:30pm vs 2ndseeded Northwest Mississippi CC.
Head Coach Mukwa Ogitchida had this to say "Its a big step for the women's team to make it to the NJCAA National Tournament. We are looking forward to representing the ICCAC on the biggest stage."
Ogitchida is looking for several players to have a big impact at the tournament:
Ana Zamorano, a sophomore right winger from Panama City, Panama, delivered a strong season in 2025-26. In 16 games with 13 starts, Zamorano scored 8 goals and added 4 assists, totaling 20 points. She showcased impressive efficiency with an 88.9% shot accuracy and a 55.6% shots-on-goal rate. Her contributions included a successful penalty kick (1-for-1), and she maintained discipline with no yellow or red cards.
Stina Mathews, a sophomore central midfielder from Hanover, Germany, delivered a strong season in 2025-26. Appearing in 18 games with 17 starts, Mathews scored 6 goals and added 9 assists, totaling 21 points. She showcased excellent efficiency with a 1.200 shot percentage and contributed 4 game-winning goals, making her a key playmaker and finisher.
Amelie Prie, a sophomore center back from Herschbach, Germany, showcased strong defensive and occasional offensive contributions during the 2025-26 season. Appearing in 15 games with 14 starts, Prie scored 5 goals and added 2 assists, totaling 12 points. Across her career (32 games), she has recorded 12 goals and 5 assists, demonstrating an ability to step up offensively when needed. Prie plays with intensity while maintaining control. Her performance reflects consistency, leadership in defense, and a knack for scoring in key moments.
Holly, one of the most dominant in the conference, earned nine shutouts this season with an .836 save percentage, allowing only four goals in conference play. Poole and the Laker defense have allowed just one goal in the last seven games, which includes three postseason contests.
Claudia Beujon-
Claudia Beaujon, a freshman forward from Caracas, Venezuela, played a key supporting role during the 2025-26 season. Appearing in 17 games with 16 starts, Beaujon contributed 1 assist for a total of 1 point. While not recording a goal, she showed commitment and consistency on the field. Her defensive presence was notable and she maintained involvement in team play throughout the season.
Freshman midfielder Emma Fournie, from Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, has made an immediate impact in her first season with the Lakers. Appearing in 17 games and starting 14, Fournie tallied 3 goals and 12 assists for 18 total points, ranking among the team's top playmakers. Her creative vision and set-piece precision contributed to multiple scoring opportunities, including one game-winning goal and a 1-for-2 mark on penalty kicks.
Ines Balaghni is a standout winger for Iowa Lakes, hailing from Injoux, France. In the 2025-26 season, Balaghni played 18 games (starting 17) and delivered an impressive offensive contribution with 6 goals and 10 assists, totaling 22 points. Known for exceptional efficiency, Balaghni converted every shot taken, boasting a 100% shooting accuracy and a 66.7% shots-on-goal rate. She proved clutch with 2 game-winning goals and contributed in key moments, including penalty kicks (1-for-2). While maintaining strong discipline, her performance highlights a perfect balance of scoring, playmaking, and reliability.
Miu Kamei, a freshman forward from Tokyo, Japan, made an immediate impact in the 2025-26 season. Appearing in 18 games with 15 starts, Kamei scored 6 goals and added 2 assists, totaling 14 points. Demonstrating remarkable efficiency, she posted an 85.7% shot accuracy and a 71.4% shots-on-goal rate. Her contributions included 1 game-winning goal. Kamei's performance highlights her precision, reliability, and ability to deliver in key moments.
Chanell Makusu, a sophomore defender from Berlin, Germany, delivered a strong performance in the 2025-26 season. Appearing in 15 games with 14 starts, Makusu contributed offensively with 5 goals and 2 assists, totaling 12 points. She showed solid shooting efficiency with a 71.4% shot accuracy and a 42.9% shots-on-goal rate. Defensively disciplined, Makusu also scored 2 game-winning goals, proving her ability to make an impact in crucial moments.
Sophomore midfielder Mahee Montenegro, from Homestead, Florida, continues to be a key playmaker for the Lakers. In the 2025–26 season, she appeared in 18 games, starting 12, while recording 2 goals and 6 assists for 10 total points. Known for her smart distribution and composure on the ball, Montenegro has now totaled 20 career points through her first two seasons without recording a single card.
Freshman midfielder Zoe Lawrence from London, England, has made a strong impact in her debut season. Appearing in 15 games and starting 10, Lawrence tallied 2 goals and 9 assists for 13 total points. She's shown impressive efficiency, converting 40% of her shots and placing 60% on target, while maintaining excellent discipline with no cards throughout the season.
The National Tournament will take place at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, KS. Group play for Iowa Lakes will begin on Monday, November 17th at 12:30 pm and Tuesday, November 18th at 12: pm. One team from each pool will advance into the semifinals on Thursday November 20th.
To learn more about Iowa Lakes Athletics, please visit iowalakesathletics.com.