CHICAGO (Nov. 14, 2024) – Fresh off one of the strongest seasons in its young history, the UIC women's soccer program has announced the signing of five incoming student-athletes to the Flames' 2025 roster.
Braelyn Clark, Jillian Higgins, Sidney Lazenby, Rosie Martin and
Rebecca Ruggiero are set to arrive on the UIC campus in time for the fall 2025 season. They will join a Flames' squad that tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference this season, matching the highest league finish in the program's 10-year history, and recorded the second-highest conference point total (20) and wins (6) in the program record books. UIC went on to reach the semifinals of the MVC Championship for the second consecutive season, finishing with an 8-10-2 record.
"We are excited to welcome this incoming class," said UIC head coach
David Nikolic. "Each of these young women brings a high level of playing experience to our team that will help build our depth as we make a push for the top of the MVC in 2025. We have identified needs in each line on the field and these players will come in ready to help from day one!"
Braelyn Clark | Defender | Norwalk, Iowa | Norwalk HS | Sporting Iowa
Nikolic on Clark: "We're looking forward to working with Braelyn. She will play centrally and has shown a clear understanding of managing space in transition. She's also good with both feet, comfortable in possession and a ball winner!"
Prep/Personal: Earned first-team all-district and all-conference honors, as well as first-team academic all-state and academic all-district accolades while at Norwalk High School … also a member of the National Honor Society … played club soccer for Des Moines-based Sporting Iowa, which won the 2020 and 2021 state championships … daughter of Amber and Dan Clark.
Jillian Higgins | Forward | Newburgh, Ind. | Castle HS | Racing Louisville
Nikolic on Higgins: "We add another Higgins to the roster and are excited to watch Jilly get to join up with older sister, Emmy, next fall. Jilly is a talented attacker and strikes the ball well with both feet. She makes great runs off the ball and is clever with the ball at her feet. Jilly likes to combine in tight spaces around the goal and we will be looking for her to score goals!"
Prep/Personal: Lead Castle High School to conference and sectional titles, as well as a regional runner-up finish … National Honor Society member, as well as an academic all-state selection who has received Scholastic C and academic honors … gained additional experience on club circuit with Racing Louisville … daughter of Elissa and Scott Higgins … older sister, Emmy, is a sophomore midfielder at UIC … mother was a high-scoring attacker who earned multiple scholarship opportunities … father was a three-sport standout (soccer, baseball, basketball).
Sidney Lazenby | Goalkeeper | St. Charles, Ill. | St. Charles East HS | Rockford Raptors
Nikolic on Lazenby: "With the loss of a few goalkeepers after the 2024 season, we made the goalkeeper position a high priority. Sidney is a talented goalkeeper with good hands and feet. She does well on dealing with crosses and shot stopping. We feel confident that the goalkeeper position will be in 'good hands' for years to come!"
Prep/Personal: All-state selection in 2024, as well as a two-time all-section and all-conference netminder at St. Charles East High School … helped program to three regional titles and a sectional championship … also earned academic all-conference honors in 2022 … earned valuable club experience with the Rockford (Ill.) Raptors, helping the team to the 2022 ECNL finals.
Rosie Martin | Defender | Carmel, Ind. | Carmel HS | Indiana Fire 2007
Nikolic on Martin: "Rosie is vocal, gritty, tenacious and a winner. She comes to us as a defender that she can play anywhere across the back line. She is competitive and everyone will notice her from the moment she gets on the field, with her hard tackles and willingness to attack every ball."
Prep/Personal: Captained Carmel High School squad to back-to-back regional finals appearances … also excelled in the classroom as an honor roll selection … competed for Indiana Fire 2007 club team, finishing fourth in the nation and winning state cup championship … daughter of Lisa and Andrew Martin … father was a two-sport standout (soccer, baseball) before embarking on a military career.
Rebecca Ruggiero | Midfielder | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville Central HS | Galaxy Soccer Club
Nikolic on Ruggiero: "Becca is a talented and versatile attacker who will look to contribute from many different attacking positions next fall. She is technically good in tight spaces and has the ability to electrify an attack with bursts of speed and energy. Her play in the open field should be a good complement to our current group."
Prep/Personal: Part of Naperville Central High School squad that won regional and sectional titles in 2024 … also competed on the club circuit with Naperville-based Galaxy Soccer Club … daughter of Maria Noguiera and Gianluca Ruggiero.
For more information on UIC women's soccer, fans are encouraged to visit
UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (
@UIC_WSOC and
@UICFlames) and Instagram (
@uic_wsoc and
@uicflames).
