GRINNELL, Iowa – The Grinnell College women's soccer team finished the 2025 regular season with an overall record of 6-8-4 and a 3-3-2 Midwest Conference mark, which earned the Pioneers a spot in the conference tournament.
 
Kirsten Koester is headed into her 13th year leading the team and is focused on unifying the squad around who they are and their goals for success. With a large first-year class of 14 new assets to the team, Koester is confident that the Pioneers will thrive with strong leadership from the upperclassmen that is "grounded in building a culture of generosity, inclusion and love."
 
Koester hired an assistant coach, Bailey Gibbons, to help drive this team to success this season. Gibbons is excited to use her own experience and expertise as a college athlete to bring out the best in the Pioneers. Julia Stebbins '28 will be returning to support the team as their manager.
 
A small but tenacious team of seniors, Peyton Dixon '27, Sarah Travis '27, Rama Joshi '27 and Elsa Nielsen '27, will be at the helm of this team. With a large roster this year, they hope to create a culture of collective effort and dedication. Joshi states she wants her class to "be a major source of energy for the entire team to push us through tough moments and lift us up." These seniors' goals are to help everyone feel confident in themselves and supported no matter what.
 
Goalkeepers Dixon and Grayson Allison '28 hop back in net with newcomer Mallory Walsh '30 making up an impressive goalkeeping squad. Their strong force from the net will be vital to keep the team organized and composed.
 
The GC women's soccer team returns with a strong defensive unit, and with the addition of several first-years, the backline will have a combination of experience and depth. Returning to the backline are Travis, juniors Emily Roesler '28, Anna Curtin '28, Zoe Kunzman '28 and Maya Marquardt '28, and sophomores Haylie Wesley '29 and Maggie Miller '29. Bringing new talent to the formidable backline are Zoe Antebi '30 and Ciara Sittig '30. These defenders are ready to defend their net with fierce composure.
 
The Pioneers' midfield is set to dictate creative combinations and the speed of play for the team's attack. The heart of the field will be led by upperclassmen Nielsen and third-year Campbell Swaim '28. Additionally, returning to the field will be Nikki Styranovski '29, Kate Chung '29 and Teya Lochridge '29 A skilled group of first-years, Penelope Lasell '30, Lucy Collier '30, Nora Lesmeister '30, June Elias '30 and Naima Axelrad '30, will round out the midfield. This squad is prepared to maintain possession and move the ball smoothly across the field.