Loper Soccer adds recruits from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Hawaii | 1340 KGFW

Runners Athletics

KEARNEY – Nebraska Kearney head women’s soccer coach Rob Breton today announced the names of four newcomers who will take the field for the Runners this fall. ​

In January, Breton announced the signing of a mid-year transfer and five incoming freshmen. This latest group offers transfers Hannah Schimmer (Midland U.) and Keila Gillispie (Kansas State U.), freshmen Camrynn Nitta (Honolulu, Hawaii) And red shirt second year Riley Jensen (Bellevue East). She previously played basketball for the Runners.

Jensen (5-10) played on the Bellevue East football, volleyball and basketball teams from 2019-2022. The two-time Class A all-state defender missed one soccer season due to the pandemic and had 30 career points (13 goals and four assists) to help the Chieftains win 17 games in 2011 and 2022. She is a member of Sporting Nebraska and was drafted by, among others national power Central Missouri recruited for football.

Riley Jensen // UNK Athletics

“Adding Riley to our team is a tremendous asset to our defense. Not only does she have a winning mentality, having been part of the UNK women’s basketball team that qualified for the NCAA tournament and won an MIAA regular season title, but she was also a two-time Class A defender,” Breton said. “She has shown that she has the ability to compete and strengthen our defense.”

​Gillispie (5-8), a native of Newton, Kansas, 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 qualifier who battled some injuries and played in six games for the Wildcats. Majoring in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Gillispie graduated last month. Finally, Gillispie was a Class 5A all-state pick for Newton High and a member of the Wichita Rush SC

Kelia Gilliespie // UNK Athletics

“We are very excited to add Keila for our defense this fall. She will bring a new level of experience to the program after playing at the highest level of college football for four years,” Breton said. “She has a fluid presence on the ball, has strong leadership qualities and a desire to make an immediate impact that will help push our defense to new heights in the fall. I’m curious about 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 recorded 39 points (16 goals and four assists) for the Warriors last fall, earning first-team honors Full GPAC honor and help Midland reach the NAIA National Tournament. At Iowa Western CC in 2022, Schimmer was part of one NJCAA National championship team that posted a 19-3-1 record. She was the Region Player of the Year and was also named a first-team All-American after a 53-point effort (20 goals and 13 assists). Finally, at Abraham Lincoln High, she scored 125 points (55 goals and 15 assists) over her final two seasons. Not surprisingly, the Lynx posted a 33-4 record during that time. ​

Hanna Schimmer // UNK Athletics

“To take Hanna in our team this year adds a whole new dynamic to our offense. 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,” said Breton. “She also brings a winning mentality, having won a national title at Iowa Western while being named offensive player of the national tournament and then winning a national title with Midland last season.”

Nitta (5-4), a forward, played for the Leahi S.C. and Pac-Five High School. She led her high school team in scoring this past year and was a first-team all-state pick. The Pac-Five Wolfpack has also won the past three Division II state titles. Playing for the “Prime Minister” Leahi SC team won them another state title, a Far West Regional title and played in tournaments across the country.

Camryn Nitta // UNK Athletics

“Camrynn completes our incoming class and brings a new style of attack to our front line that will help us be much more creative. She has a great understanding of the game with her movements without the ball, as well as her technical ability to keep the ball and finish chances she gets,” said Breton. “What I think will be her great quality is her tenacity when she plays; allowing her to make an impact in many ways.”

UNK reports he will leave camp on Monday, August 19, with the regular season opener on Friday, September 6 in Sioux Falls.