WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern College women's soccer team closed its 2025 campaign as one of the most improved programs in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, finishing 5-8-4 overall and returning to the KCAC Tournament quarterfinals. Under third-year head coach Harry Simpson, the Moundbuilders fulfilled much of the promise that surrounded them in preseason, showing measurable growth in every major category.
The Moundbuilders' season ended with a 3-1 loss to second-seeded Friends University on Nov. 5 in Wichita, but Southwestern's steady rise was evident throughout the fall. The team doubled its goal production from 2024, improved its defensive goals-against average by nearly a full point, and reestablished itself as a competitive force in the conference.
From Preseason Promise to On-Field Progress
Back in August, Simpson said his group was "on the up," and the results proved him right. With 18 newcomers and a strong returning core, Southwestern turned its depth and chemistry into consistency, going 5-4-4 in KCAC play after a 4-5-4 mark last year.
Senior goalkeeper Hayden Clark, who entered her final season as one of the KCAC's top shot-stoppers, delivered another standout campaign. She appeared in all 17 matches, made 95 saves, and posted a .812 save percentage with four shutouts, leading a defense that allowed just 22 goals all season compared to 37 the year before.
Senior defender Kaitlyn Walker became one of the team's top scoring threats, leading Southwestern with five goals and two assists for 12 points. Junior midfielder Millie Hazzard matched her output, scoring four goals and adding four assists, while senior captain Natalie Belanger chipped in two goals and one assist. Belanger also converted both of the Moundbuilders' penalty kick attempts.
Freshman midfielder Sarah Hobrecht, one of the preseason's most anticipated newcomers, quickly became a regular starter and key contributor. Alongside freshmen such as Elizabeth Holladay and Danni Brosamle-Norton, she formed part of a talented youth movement that helped the Builders compete with top-tier KCAC programs.
Competing in a Deep KCAC
Southwestern's improvement showed most clearly in conference play. The Moundbuilders picked up crucial wins over York, Sterling, Bethel, McPherson, and Bethany, while also earning hard-fought draws with Friends, Saint Mary, Avila, and Ottawa. The five conference wins marked the program's highest total since 2019.
The team's balanced approach was reflected in its stats, 17 goals scored, 31 corner kicks, and a .138 shot percentage, all up from a year ago. The Moundbuilders also cut down on fouls, improved their passing efficiency, and continued to develop a disciplined defensive structure that kept them in nearly every match.
Senior Leadership and Cultural Shift
Simpson credited his veteran group, Clark, Walker, Belanger, Webb, Wiechman, Culp, Ramirez, Tiepelman, and Akin, with setting the tone for the season. Their leadership guided a roster that featured more than a dozen first- or second-year players adjusting to college competition.
"Our seniors were the heartbeat of this team," Simpson said. "They believed in what we're building and helped create the kind of competitive culture we've been working toward the last three years."
Foundation for the Future
In just his third season, Simpson's vision for the program is taking shape. With key returners like Hazzard, Hobrecht, Kara Medina, and several promising underclassmen, Southwestern's 2026 outlook is bright. The Moundbuilders have now established themselves as a team capable of challenging for the upper half of the KCAC standings.
Final Record: 5-8-4 overall, 5-4-4 KCAC
Goals Scored: 17 (up from 9 in 2024)
Goals Allowed: 22 (down from 37 in 2024)
Shutouts: 4 (up from 2 in 2024)
Save Percentage: .812 (up from .755 in 2024)
"The gap is getting smaller," Simpson said back in August. After a season of clear progress and newfound belief, the 2025 Moundbuilders proved just that.
