ALEXANDRIA, LA – The Louisiana State University of Alexandria women's soccer team is excited to announce the incoming 2026 recruiting class.
"We have a very strong recruitment class coming in this fall," LSUA Head Coach
Mark Hammond said. "We have a great blend of having youth and experience as we knew we would have to bring in some experienced collegiate players for this upcoming season. I am a big fan of the JUCO system so it is great to have so many transfers coming in. We also want to build for the future and we believe we are bringing in some of the best freshman the state has to offer."
The Generals are bringing in 12 new players to complement their roster for the 2026 season.
Ashley Manning is a 5-foot-7 defender from Broussard, Louisiana. She joins the Generals from LSU Eunice.
Why LSUA? "I love Louisiana and Mark seems like a great person and a great coach!"
Coach Hammond on Manning: "Another spring signing which has helped us start to build cohesion in the backline. No doubt that Ashley will have a big role to play this upcoming fall."
Paula Suarez is a 5-foot-3 midfielder from Bogota, Colombia. She joins the Generals as a junior. Suarez was selected for Bogota regional teams and participated in Colombia national team training camps from 2021 through 2023. She was a first team all-conference selection at Angelina College.
Why LSUA? "I chose LSUA because I want to continue growing as a player in a competitive environment, while also enjoying the game, being happy, and being part of a great team where I can develop both on and off the field."
Coach Hammond on Suarez: "Paula is a player that can be a difference maker. Her flexibility to play in different roles with the team will give us a new dynamic that we are very excited about."
Louise Stritch is a five-foot forward from Preston, United Kingdom. She joins LSUA from Mercer County Community College. She earned conference player of the week honors while at MCCC and helped guide her squad to a NJCAA Region 19 Championship. While playing for Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies FC, Stritch and company won the Lancashire FA Women's County Premier League Championship.
Why LSUA? "When looking to transfer to my new school, LSUA stood out because it offered the academic courses I wanted to pursue and after speaking with the coaches and players, I got a really good feeling about the program and felt like it was the right fit for me. They've got big goals for the season, and I'm excited to be a part of it."
Coach Hammond on Stritch: "Louise is a wide player that will give us the option to play her on either side. Louise is a player that will give us a lot of work off the ball & will fit our defensive principles."
Emma Kate Rogers is a 5-foot-5 midfielder from Youngsville, Louisiana. She joins the Generals from Southside High School and Louisiana Krewe Rush. She earned First Team All-District honors in 2026 and earned a pair of Best XI State Cup honors in 2024 and 2025.
Why LSUA? "The environment and people at LSUA are what really led to me making my decision to attend here. I felt comfortable and like I was at home; I knew I could spend the next four years here."
Coach Hammond on Rogers: "Emma-Kate is a really exciting signing. She is bringing in leadership as she was Southside High-School's captain while also competing at the highest club level in the state with Louisiana Krewe Rush. Emma-Kate's versatility will be a huge benefit for us this season."
Annick van Pijkeren is a 5-foot-7 forward from Taipei, Taiwan. She joins the Generals from Taipei European School. She was named the female athlete of the year three times and was named most valuable player for the girls' soccer squad five times. She was inducted into the hall of fame for her performance.
Why LSUA? "From the moment I got in contact with the school, it just felt right for me."
Coach Hammond on van Pijkerken: "Annick is a talented and smart forward player that can link the play & score goals. We are excited to sign a freshman player with her talent."
Ava Little is a 5-foot-2 forward from Frisco, Texas. She joins the Generals from Dallas Brookhaven College. She earned First Team All-American, all-region, and was named the conference player of the year. Prior to DBC, Little played for Wakeland High School and the Dallas Kicks.
Why LSUA? "I chose LSUA because the girls and coaches made me feel welcome from the start, and it truly felt like home. I could really see myself being part of the program. I love the family atmosphere and the opportunity to grow both on and off the field."
Coach Hammond on Little: "Ava is an extremely exciting player. She is quick, strong, and direct. She is coming off a very strong season at Dallas Brookhaven and we are excited for her to bring her big game experience to LSUA having played in the NJCAA National Final last fall."
Hannah Holm Henriksen is a 5-foot-5 forward from Odense, Denmark. She joins LSUA from Thomas University. Holm Henriksen was named to the Southern States Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team and the SSAC All-Academic Team. In two seasons at Thomas, the Denmark native registered seven goals and two assists. Prior to Thomas University, she played for Sct. Knuds Gymnasium, as well as Dalum and Næsby.
Why LSUA? "I chose LSUA because it was the best fit for me to continue developing both academically and athletically. I believe LSUA will give me the support, opportunities, and experiences needed to help me reach my goals."
Coach Hammond on Holm Henriksen: "Hannah is a player that we have admired for a few years as we tried to sign her as a freshman. After spending two years at Thomas University, we expect to have a very dynamic forward that has a lot of college experience."
Brooklynn Gantt is a 5-foot-1 defender from Ragley, Louisiana. She joins the Generals from South Beauregard High School. While at South Beauregard she was a member of student council, Beta Club, National Society of High School Scholars, and was named Student of the Year while graduating as Valedictorian.
Why LSUA? "The coaches and team were so welcoming and I felt like I fit right in!"
Coach Hammond on Gantt: "We are very excited to be bringing in the CenLA MVP from this past year's high-school season. Brooklynn will bring great energy to our program & will definitely be a player to watch for the future."
Ava Hart is a 5-foot-1 midfielder from Prairieville, Louisiana. She joins LSUA from Dutchtown High School and Louisiana Elite. Hart was named to the DI All-State Freshman Team, DI District 6 First and Second Teams, and was an All-Metro Honorable Mention during her time at Dutchtown. She helped guide her squad to a state runner-up finish.
Why LSUA? "I chose LSUA because of its unique and welcoming atmosphere along with the kind players and coaches."
Coach Hammond on Hart: "Ava is another player that will be one to watch for the future. We wanted to find a blend between bringing in experience and players we can develop and bleed into the squad. Ava fits this bill as she has played at the highest level of club soccer in Louisiana the past two to three years."
Addison Aucoin is a 5-foot-9 defender from Lafayette, Louisiana. She joins LSUA from LSU Eunice by way of Acadiana High School. Aucoin played club for Krewe Rush. She was a four-year All-District selection in high school.
Why LSUA? "I like the campus of LSUA and I like the culture and atmosphere of the team and school!"
Coach Hammond on Aucoin: "Addison is a great signing for the program. She is bringing in a lot of collegiate experience after being a huge part of LSUE's defense the past two seasons. We knew we had to bring in experience in the backline after graduating some key leaders in the backline & we feel that Addison will be able to fill that void."
Juana Bulla is a 5-foot-3 midfielder from Medellin, Colombia. She joins LSUA from Angelina College. While playing for Atletico Nacional she helped guide her squad to a national championship. At Angelina, Bulla was an honorable mention all-conference selection.
Why LSUA? "I chose LSUA because it offers the perfect balance: strong academics and the chance to compete in soccer at a level that pushes me to reach my full potential."
Coach Hammond on Bulla: "Juana is definitely one of our marquee signings. Juana has played at two of the top JUCO programs and we feel she will give our midfield some much needed steel and composure."
Caroline Fielding is a 5-foot-3 defender from Covington, Louisiana. She joins the Generals from LSU Eunice by way of Mandeville High School. She also played club for the MSC Lakers. Fielding was named First Team All-District in 2023.
Why LSUA? "I chose LSUA because of their successful program and it being close to home!"
Coach Hammond on Fielding: "Caroline has impressed the coaching staff this spring. It was great to get her in a semester early so she can adapt & settle into the program. Caroline brings great composure into the backline."
LSUA opens their season with a pair of scrimmages against Angelina college and LSU Eunice before beginning the season in earnest on August 21 at Freed-Hardeman University.
