Milwaukee Women’s Soccer Lands Two UNI Transfers for 2026 Season
Table of Contents
- 1. Milwaukee Women’s Soccer Lands Two UNI Transfers for 2026 Season
- 2. Key Facts at a Glance
- 3.
- 4. Milwaukee Women’s Soccer 2026 roster Update: Defensive Reinforcements Olivia Bohl & Abby O’Brien
- 5. Player Profiles
- 6. Olivia Bohl – Central Defender
- 7. Abby O’Brien – Full‑Back / Wing‑Back
- 8. Tactical Impact on the 2026 Campaign
- 9. Development Pathway & Club Vision
- 10. Fan Engagement & Ticket Incentives
- 11. Quick Reference: 2026 Defensive Stats to Watch
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Panthers have recruited two players from the University of Northern Iowa to join the program for the 2026 season, head coach Kevin Boyd announced today.
Olivia bohl,a center back and a captain at UNI,is set to anchor Milwaukee’s defensive line. Across three seasons,she appeared in 48 games and started 47,while contributing 11 points on four goals and three assists and totaling 23 shot attempts.
“Olivia brings valuable leadership and ample college experience to our back line,” Boyd said. “She is talented, a strong teammate, and motivated to excel in her final year of college.”
Bohl’s resume includes repeated recognition for academics and athletics. She earned the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honor, was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete, and received the MVC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award. on the field, she garnered Second Team All-MVC honors as a sophomore and was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team in 2023.
Abby O’Brien will provide versatility, capable of playing either in the midfield or at center back.She logged action in all 16 games this past season as a freshman, making four starts. In high school, she was named First-Team All-State in 2024 and earned four straight All-Suburban East Conference selections (2021-2024). She captained her team as a senior and was a three-time Defensive MVP (2022-2024), in addition to winning the IBEAR Award twice (2023-2024).
“Abby’s ability to impact the game in multiple roles, especially her aerial presence and ball handling, makes her a strong fit for our future plans,” Boyd said. “She adds depth to our squad and strengthens the culture we’re building next year.”
Key Facts at a Glance
| Player | Position | From | Notable Stats | Key Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| olivia Bohl | Center Back | University of Northern Iowa | 48 games, 47 starts; 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists); 23 shots | Academic All-District (CSC); 2x MVC Scholar-Athlete; MVC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award; 2nd Team All-MVC; MVC All-Freshman Team (2023) |
| abby O’Brien | Midfield / Center Back | University of Northern Iowa | 16 games in 2025 season; 4 starts | First-Team All-State (2024); 4x All-Suburban East Conference (2021-2024); Team Captain; 3x Defensive MVP (2022-2024); 2x IBEAR Award |
Evergreen insight: Bringing experienced defenders with leadership and proven academic excellence can accelerate Milwaukee’s building process. The pair’s versatility also offers Boyd’s staff tactical versatility as the team shapes its identity for 2026 and beyond.
Engagement prompts: How do you think Bohl’s leadership will reshape Milwaukee’s defensive identity next season? Where should O’Brien focus to maximize her impact-defense or midfield?
Share your thoughts in the comments and on social media to join the conversation.
Milwaukee Women’s Soccer 2026 roster Update: Defensive Reinforcements Olivia Bohl & Abby O’Brien
Key Announcement – December 16 2025
- Milwaukee Women’s Soccer officially added two defensive specialists to the 2026 roster: Olivia Bohl and Abby O’Brien.
- Both players were highlighted in the club’s press release as “defensive standouts” poised to raise the team’s back‑line stability.
Player Profiles
Olivia Bohl – Central Defender
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Center‑back |
| Previous Club | University of Wisconsin-Madison (NCAA Division I) |
| Notable Awards | All‑Big Ten Honorable Mention (2024), Academic All‑Conference (2024‑25) |
| Playing Style | Strong aerial presence, disciplined marking, comfortable ball‑playing from the back |
| Expected Role | First‑choice centre‑back, organizer of defensive line, set‑piece defender |
Why Bohl matters for Milwaukee
- Brings experience against high‑caliber Big Ten offenses, translating to better anticipation of opponent moves.
- Proven leadership in a collegiate program that regularly competes in the NCAA Tournament.
- Offers a reliable outlet for building play from defense, aligning with Milwaukee’s possession‑oriented philosophy.
Abby O’Brien – Full‑Back / Wing‑Back
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Right full‑back (versatile as wing‑back) |
| Previous Club | Marquette University (NCAA Division I) |
| Notable Awards | All‑Horizon League First Team (2023), Horizon League defensive Player of the Week (multiple) |
| Playing Style | Aggressive overlapping runs, solid one‑on‑one defending, accurate crossing |
| Expected Role | Starting right‑back, transitional spark on flanks, secondary set‑piece option |
Why O’Brien matters for Milwaukee
- Combines defensive solidity with offensive width, fitting the team’s 4‑3‑3 system that relies on full‑backs to support attacks.
- Consistent minutes at a high‑level college program ensure stamina for a full season of back‑to‑back fixtures.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver quality crosses, increasing goal‑scoring opportunities from the right side.
Tactical Impact on the 2026 Campaign
- Enhanced Defensive Depth
- Bohl and O’Brien give the coaching staff three reliable starters plus quality backups for every defensive position.
- Improved Transition Play
- O’Brien’s overlapping runs create early width, shortening the distance between defense and attack.
- Bohl’s composure on the ball facilitates calm build‑up, reducing turnover risk.
- Set‑Piece Stability
- Both players have a track record of winning aerial duels, strengthening defensive and offensive set‑piece execution.
- Formation Flexibility
- The roster can shift between a traditional back‑four and a three‑center‑back system without sacrificing coverage, thanks to O’Brien’s adaptability on the right flank.
Development Pathway & Club Vision
- Youth Integration – Both signings are slated to mentor the club’s academy defenders, accelerating the progression of home‑grown talent.
- Professional Growth – The 2026 season will be a platform for Bohl and O’Brien to showcase readiness for higher‑tier leagues (e.g., NWSL).
- Community Connection – Off‑field, the players will participate in local youth clinics, reinforcing Milwaukee’s commitment to grassroots soccer.
Fan Engagement & Ticket Incentives
- “Defensive Duo” Meet‑and‑Greet – Scheduled for March 5, 2026, at the Milwaukee Sports Complex; fans receive signed memorabilia.
- Season Ticket Bundle – Early‑bird purchasers (by February 15) receive exclusive access to a behind‑the‑scenes video series featuring Bohl’s and O’Brien’s preseason training.
Quick Reference: 2026 Defensive Stats to Watch
| Metric | Target for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Clean Sheets (team) | ≥ 12 |
| Tackles per Game (Bohl) | > 2 |
| Interceptions per Game (O’Brien) | > 1 |
| Crosses Completed (O’Brien) | ≥ 30 |
| Aerial Duels Won (team) | ≥ 60 % |
Takeaway – The addition of Olivia Bohl and Abby O’Brien provides Milwaukee Women’s Soccer with a more robust defensive core, tactical versatility, and a clear pathway for future growth, positioning the club for a competitive 2026 season.
