Iowa State Announces Addition of Five Transfers

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State soccer coach Matt Fannon has announced the addition of five transfers to the 2026 Cyclone roster. Sara Gavagan (UMBC), Dani Lunceford (San Francisco), Maia Soulis (Ohio), Mia Sowders (Wisconsin) and Morgan Struttmann (Colorado) make up the transfer class for ISU.

Lunceford and Struttmann will have two years of eligibility for the Cyclones, while the other three will just have one.

"We are over the moon with the group of young women we have added to our squad," says Fannon. "The quality is significant, and they will elevate the standard from day one."

Sara Gavagan, a 5'8 senior goalkeeper, finished her third season of competition with UMBC this past fall. Gavagan, who redshirted as a freshman, saw time in 19 contests across her three seasons, making eight starts.

Gavagan, an Irvington, N.Y. native, will have one year remaining with the Cyclones. In total, she collected 49 saves, tallied one clean sheet and held a 1.14 goals-against average.

"Gav is a mature leader who has all the attributes to make an immediate impact," says Fannon. "She is a goalkeeper with a fine temperament, solid distribution and good athleticism."

Dani Lunceford, a to-be junior 5'10 defender, comes to Ames from San Francisco, where she played in 33 games for the Dons over the last two seasons. Of those 33 games, Lunceford made 26 starts.

Lunceford, a native of Bountiful, Utah, was a warrior for the Dons this past season, starting all 18 games and not coming off the field once. She, along with the SF keeper, was the only member of the team to play all possible minutes.

"Dani is a lovely footballer, capable of playing out of the back with composure and poise," says Fannon. "She is also a tough athlete who understands the necessity of old-school defending."

Maia Soulis, a 5'7 senior defender, will wrap her career with the Cyclones after spending the last three years with the Ohio Bobcats. Soulis, who began her collegiate career at Michigan State, appeared in 58 games for Ohio.

Of her 58 games played with the Bobcats, 53 of them were starts, as she notched one career assist in over 4,400 minutes of action.

"Maia has been fantastic in a successful back line for a number of years now, and we are thrilled that she will bring that experience tour squad this fall," says Fannon.

Mia Sowders, a 5'10 midfielder, arrives in Ames after spending four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.

A Phoenix, Ariz. native, Sowders appeared in a handful of games for the Badgers and has one career shot.

"Mia brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Iowa State," says Fannon. "She is strong, excellent in possession, and will cover every blade of grass throughout the match from central midfield."

Morgan Struttmann, a 5'5 forward, makes her way to Ames after stops at both K-State and Colorado. She spent her first two years in Manhattan, appearing in 34 games and starting 18 before signing with Colorado last winter.

A native of Lake St. Louis, Mo., Struttmann owns two career goals and three assists. She holds her high school's (Liberty) all-time points record (213) and assist record (63).

"Morgan is a wonderful athlete who has a drive and purpose about the way she plays," says Fannon. "She wants to score goals and create chances and is going to elevate our group of wingers with an edge to her game that is hard to stop."

Iowa State University Athletics

Iowa State Announces Addition of Five Transfers

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors