Springfield Standard

Missouri State University’s women’s soccer program has announced the addition of six new players to its 2026 roster. Head coach Kirk Nelson revealed that the incoming class includes Marleigh Allen, Ariya Barton, Tassia Curtis, Thea Dimitroff, Mayah Robinson, and Brenna West.

"We are excited about our first season in Conference USA and getting to the Championship Finals. A strong foundation has been set for us to build upon moving into this next year," Nelson said. "With that, this 2026 class brings in a wealth of experience and will help us continue to compete at a high level. Expectations are high for this class, and we strongly feel they will come in and help us immediately."

Marleigh Allen joins from Eureka High School in Missouri and Lou Fusz GA club. She was a two-year starter for her high school team, contributing significantly with 14 goals as a sophomore before an injury cut short her junior season. Associate Head Coach Cory Herchenroeder commented: "Marleigh is a strong, athletic attacking player. She has the ability to beat players with pace, or hold up play and create opportunities for her teammates. Marleigh also has the ability to be an aerial threat on crosses and set pieces. We are very excited to add Marleigh to the Bears family."

Ariya Barton comes from Christian Fellowship School in Columbia, Missouri, where she started all four years and helped secure three consecutive state championship appearances with two titles won. At club level with Lou Fusz GA, she contributed to a national championship win and semifinal appearance. Herchenroeder said: "Ariya is someone I would consider to be a tenacious attacker. Ariya's athleticism and ability to take people on 1v1 makes her extremely dangerous going forward. She's also someone I would consider a true goal-scorer, she always finds herself in areas to put the ball in the back of the net. We are very excited to add Ariya to the Bears family."

Tassia Curtis arrives from St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic High School in Ontario and Juventus Academy Toronto club program where she helped secure provincial and national championships in 2024. She has earned recognition as one of Canada’s top young female players by FTF Canada as well as multiple MVP honors at national events. According to Herchenroeder: "Tassia is an outside back that utilizes her athleticism in being a physical 1v1 defender, but also having the pace to get forward. She has an outstanding left foot that creates a ton of opportunities in the attack. Tassia is going to be a great addition to our already strong back line. We are very excited to add Tassia to the Bears family!"

Thea Dimitroff joins from Edwardsville High School (Illinois) where she started four years and contributed both offensively (10 goals) and defensively (19 assists), helping her team finish fourth at state competition in 2023 while earning all-conference honors along the way. Herchenroeder noted: "Thea is an attacker that can find success in combination play and keeping really good possession, or she can use her athleticism to get in behind. She is also a gritty defender that will immediately help us in our press. Thea is going to be a great addition to our front line and we are very excited to add Thea to the Bears family."

Mayah Robinson comes from Robert F Hall Catholic Secondary School (Ontario) where she played for Woodbridge Soccer Club at regional and national levels as part of one of Ontario’s most competitive youth systems; she is known for composure under pressure and defensive leadership qualities according to coaches’ evaluations: "Mayah is a strong, athletic defender that can play centrally or in the wide area. She is very good in possession and she brings a ton of leadership qualities with her into the team. Mayah will come in with a drive to impact our back line right away. We are very excited to add Mayah to the Bears Family"

Brenna West joins after competing for Lindbergh High School (St Louis) as well as Lou Fusz GA club—helping lead teams toward national titles—and earning individual accolades such as Newcomer of Year honors during freshman year plus recognition by Top Drawer Soccer/SoccerWire showcases: "Brenna is a player that can help us find success in the midfield and/or in the backline. Brenna has an extremely high soccer IQ that will help her find a ton of success at our level. Couple her IQ with her athleticism and ability to win tackles and she becomes a very high level player for us. We are very excited to add Brenna to the Bears family."