Loper Athletics
KEARNEY – Nebraska Kearney Women’s Soccer Head Coach Rob Breton announced today the names of four newcomers who will take the Lopers field this fall.
In January, Breton announced the signing of a mid-year transfer and five incoming freshmen. This last group presents transfers. Hannah Schimmer (Midland University) and Keila Gillispie (Kansas State University), freshmen Camrynn nitta (Honolulu, Hawai’i) and redshirt sophomore Riley Jensen (Bellevue East). He previously played basketball for the Lopers.
Jensen (5-10) starred on the Bellevue East football, volleyball and basketball teams from 2019 to 2022. Missing a football season due to the pandemic, the two-time Class A all-state defender scored 30 career points (13 goals and four assists) to help the Chieftains win 17 games in 2011 and 2022. A member of Sporting Nebraska, He was recruited by national power Central Missouri, among others, for football.
Riley Jensen // UNK Athletics
“Adding Riley to our team is a huge asset to our defense. Not only does she bring a winning mentality, having been on the UNK women’s basketball team that qualified for the NCAA tournament and won an MIAA regular season title, but she is also a two-time Class A defender Breton said. “She has shown the ability to compete and strengthen our defense.”
A native of Newton, Kansas, Gillispie (5-8) has at least one year of eligibility remaining after four seasons at Kansas State. In the spring of 2024, she was an assistant coach at Butler (Kan.) CC. The midfielder/defender was a three-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and battled some injuries, appearing in six games for the Wildcats. Gillispie, majoring in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, graduated last month. Finally, Gillispie was a Class 5A all-state selection for Newton High and a member of Wichita Rush SC.
Kelia Gilliespie // UNK Athletics
“We are very excited to add Keila to our defense this fall. “She will bring a new level of experience to the program having played at the highest level of college soccer for four years,” Breton said. “She has a fluid presence on the ball, she has strong leadership skills and a desire to make an immediate impact that will help take our defense to a new height in the fall. “I look forward to seeing the impact Keila will have within our program.”
Schimmer (5-8) is a forward from Council Bluffs, Ia., who scores at an elite level. She scored 39 points (16 goals and four assists) for the Warriors last fall to earn first-team All-GPAC honors and help Midland reach the NAIA National Tournament. At Iowa Western CC in 2022, Schimmer was part of an NJCAA National Championship team that posted a 19-3-1 record. Regional Player of the Year, she was also tabbed as a first-team All-American after a 53-point effort (20 goals and 13 assists). Finally, at Abraham Lincoln High, she produced 125 points (55 goals and 15 assists) in her final two seasons. Not surprisingly, the Lynx posted a 33-4 record during that time.
Hanna Schimmer // UNK Athletics
“Bringing Hanna to our team this year adds a whole new dynamic to our attack. Her pace, her ability to create space both on and off the ball and her desire to score will make her a threat in every match,” Breton said. “She also brings a winning mentality, as she won a national title at Iowa Western and was named Offensive Player of the National Tournament and then won a league title with Midland last season.”
Nitta (5-4), a forward, played for Leahi SC and Pac-Five High School. She led her high school team in scoring last year and was a first-team all-state selection. The Pac-Five Wolfpack also won the last three Division II state titles. Playing for the “Premier” Leahi SC team, she won another state title, a Far West regional title and played in tournaments across the country.
Camryn Nitta // UNK Athletics
“Camrynn rounds out our incoming class and brings a new attacking style to our front line that will help us be much more creative. “He has a wonderful understanding of the game with his movements without the ball, as well as the technical ability for him to keep the ball and finish the opportunities he has,” Breton said. “What I think will be her greatest attribute is her tenacity when she plays; “That allows you to make an impact in many ways.”
UNK will report to fall camp on Monday, August 19, and the first regular season game is scheduled for Friday, September 6 in Sioux Falls.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.