New Era Dawns for Lobo Soccer with Five Signings for 2026 Class
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A promising new chapter begins for the University of New Mexico (UNM) women’s soccer program as Head Coach Karley Nelson announced the signing of five talented athletes to the 2026 class on Friday. The incoming class, representing a diverse range of locations from New Mexico to Canada, Nevada to Washington, features a blend of skillsets with three midfielders, one defender, and a versatile player capable of contributing in both midfield and forward positions.
The newest Lobos are Jessica Darby, Analyse Healy, Kylee Mackey, Emory Villacorta, and Laiken van Rooyen. This influx of talent signals a commitment to building a competitive and dynamic team for the future.
A Coast-to-Coast Recruiting Class
The geographically diverse recruiting class highlights the growing appeal of the UNM soccer program under Coach Nelson. The program successfully attracted athletes from various competitive landscapes, demonstrating its expanding reach and reputation.
Jessica Darby, a defender from Toronto, Canada, brings a championship pedigree, having been a key member of teams that secured Provincial Championships in 2023 and 2025, as well as the Canadian National Championship in 2025. Darby also excelled academically, consistently making the honor roll throughout her high school career and plans to major in pre-med at UNM. “I chose UNM because of the positive culture and atmosphere, as well as the competitive environment,” Darby stated. “As soon as I stepped foot on campus it felt like home!”
From Las Vegas, Nevada, Kylee Mackey, a dynamic midfielder, arrives with a proven track record of success. Her high school team claimed championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Mackey personally contributed nine goals and four assists over the past three seasons. She intends to pursue a degree in biology at UNM. “I knew UNM was my school as soon as I stepped on the campus,” Mackey explained. “The atmosphere, the team, the coaches, the program – it was outstanding. A sisterhood between a team that is unmatched, and a coaching staff that is exceptional, made saying yes something I couldn’t wait to do.”
Local talent Analyse Healy, a versatile midfielder/forward from Farmington, New Mexico, is a five-year letterman in varsity soccer and consistently led her high school team in scoring. Healy plans to major in political science. “I chose UNM because it’s the perfect place to keep growing,” Healy commented. “The program, the culture, and the people all make me want to be my best every day.”
Emory Villacorta, a midfielder hailing from Puyallup, Washington, has been recognized at the national level, having been selected for the National ID Camp twice. Villacorta also competes in track and field and intends to major in dentistry. “I chose the University of New Mexico because it feels like more than a school; it feels like a place where I can grow as both a player and a person,” Villacorta shared.
Rounding out the class is Laiken van Rooyen, an attacking midfielder from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Van Rooyen, a BCSPL U15 All-Star in 2023, represented Canada on the 2024 European Tour, gaining valuable international experience. She boasts a remarkable 4.0 GPA and plans to study kinesiology at UNM. “I chose to go to UNM because the team, coaches, and community have shown me the love, support, belonging, and belief that I’ve always been searching for,” van Rooyen said.
Building for the Future
The addition of these five athletes represents a significant step forward for Lobo Soccer, injecting both talent and a strong academic commitment into the program. The diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of these players suggest a bright future for UNM women’s soccer under the leadership of Coach Nelson. The program is poised for continued growth and success as it embarks on this exciting new era.
