IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeye women’s soccer program is adding talent from across the United States and overseas, as head coach Dean Ward announced Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the signing of five student-athletes for the 2027 season.
The incoming class features defenders Parker Evans of Mason, Ohio, and Ella Dusenberry of Delaware, Ohio; forward Channing Xayarath of Fort Wayne, Indiana; goalkeeper Josie Smalley of Richmond, Virginia; and midfielder Nellie Last of Kungälv, Sweden.
The group brings a combination of All-American recognition, state championships, elite club experience and international playing experience to the Hawkeyes.
Among the most accomplished recruits are Evans and Dusenberry, both selected for the 2026 High School All-American Soccer Game. Xayarath also earned All-American recognition, according to Iowa’s recruiting announcement.
“We are excited to welcome this group of talented young women to our program,” Ward said. “They bring specific on-field qualities to our team and are all fantastic people who will fit our high-performing culture and environment.”
Ward said the coaching staff looks forward to developing the players and helping them succeed in Iowa’s competitive environment.
Parker Evans brings All-American credentials and championship experience
Parker Evans, a defender from Mason, Ohio, joins Iowa after a successful high school and club career. Evans attends William Mason High School and plays club soccer for Ohio Elite Soccer Academy.
A 2026 High School All-American, Evans earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-City recognition. She also served as a team captain for two seasons.
Her club accomplishments include helping Ohio Elite capture the 2025 Club Conference Cup championship. She also participated in a United States Women’s Youth National Team identification center.
Athletic achievement runs throughout her family. Her father, Troy Evans, played football at the University of Cincinnati before spending 10 seasons in the NFL. He was a member of the New Orleans Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010.
Her mother, Jill, played volleyball at Cincinnati, while her sister, Payton, competes in volleyball at the University of Akron.
Channing Xayarath adds scoring ability to Hawkeye attack
Channing Xayarath, a forward from Fort Wayne, Indiana, will bring an accomplished scoring background to Iowa City. Xayarath attends Homestead High School and competes for Indy Premier.
A two-time All-State, All-District and All-Region selection, Xayarath led her high school team in scoring during the 2026 season. She also earned 2026 All-American recognition.
Her experience extends to the national development level, including two appearances at United States Women’s Youth National Team identification centers and recognition as a Girls Academy Mid America Talent ID selection.
Xayarath helped lead her high school program to two Indiana Class 3A sectional championships and two regional final appearances.
Her family also has a college athletics background. Her father played football at Tri-State University, while her mother was a cheerleader at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Ella Dusenberry brings defensive leadership and national-level experience
Ella Dusenberry, a defender from Delaware, Ohio, has established herself as another accomplished player in Iowa’s incoming recruiting class. She attends Olentangy Berlin High School and plays club soccer for Ohio Premier.
Dusenberry was named Conference Player of the Year in 2026 and earned First Team All-Conference recognition twice. She was selected as her high school’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and has served as a team captain.
Her club accomplishments include two First Team All-Conference selections and participation in the 2023 ECNL Conference Cup.
Dusenberry was also selected for the 2023 ID2 National Team and has participated in five United States Women’s Youth National Team identification centers. She helped her high school program capture two district championships.
Her parents are Thomas and Courtney Dusenberry.
Josie Smalley gives Iowa a decorated goalkeeper
The Hawkeyes also strengthened their future goalkeeper position with the signing of Josie Smalley of Richmond, Virginia. Smalley attends The Collegiate School of Richmond and competes for Richmond United.
She is a three-time All-State honoree, three-time All-LIS selection and two-time All-Metro performer. Her high school career includes two state championships and three LIS conference titles.
Smalley has also participated in three club national playoff competitions and earned a Mid-Atlantic championship.
One of her most impressive statistical accomplishments is a career goals-against average of 0.448, reflecting her ability to help limit opposing scoring opportunities.
Smalley is the daughter of Chad and Shannon Smalley.
Nellie Last brings Swedish soccer experience to Iowa City
Rounding out the five-player class is Nellie Last, a midfielder from Kungälv, Sweden. Last attends Aspero Idrottsgymnasium and plays for BK Häcken, bringing experience from Sweden’s soccer development system.
Her playing career began in 2014 with Kungälvs FF before she moved to Ytterby IS, where she competed from 2017 through 2021.
She subsequently joined IFK Göteborg, playing with the organization from 2021 through 2025. During the 2026 season, Last started all 22 matches and recorded six goals and five assists.
Her father, Fredrick Last, played professional hockey in Sweden for Frölunda HC and also competed in minor league hockey in the United States. Her mother is Marie Last.
Five-player class strengthens Iowa’s future in Big Ten women’s soccer
With the five additions, Ward and the Hawkeyes have assembled a recruiting class featuring players from Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and Sweden. The class addresses several important positions, bringing in two defenders, a forward, a goalkeeper and a midfielder.
Evans and Dusenberry provide defensive experience against high-level competition, while Xayarath brings proven offensive production and postseason success. Smalley adds a championship-tested goalkeeper, and Last gives Iowa an internationally developed midfielder with experience contributing goals and assists.
All five players are expected to join the Iowa women’s soccer program for the 2027 season.
Additional information about the Hawkeye women’s soccer program, its roster and schedule is available through Iowa Athletics.