Milwaukee, Wis. - After clinching their 4th consecutive NACC regular season title, the Illinois Tech women's soccer team had 10 players earn all-conference honors, as well as receiving three separate major individual awards, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference announced on Thursday. 

Receiving all-conference honors for the 2026 season were Grace Yager, Leyna Yonehara, Eva Narvarte, Kayla Thomas, Tvesa Vathulya, Clara Estiandan, Emma Conway, Olivia Roy, Leena Almeqbeli and Maddie Steele. Of the 10 all-conference players, four were first-year players: Conway, Roy, Almeqbeli and Steele. Narvarte and Vathulya received player of the year awards, while Head Coach Roshane Ellison and his coaching staff were named the coaching staff of the year.


Roshane Ellison
Head Coach Roshane Ellison and his coaching staff were named the NACC Women's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year. This is the fourth consecutive coach of the year award for Ellison. Ellison and his staff have led the team to a 16-6-0 record so far on the season, including an 11-1 record in conference play. The team has won four consecutive regular season conference titles, two consecutive conference postseason tournament titles, and are appearing in their sixth consecutive conference tournament championship, the team's seventh conference championship match overall since entering the NACC in 2018. Over that same time period, Ellison's Hawks have gone 73-8-5 in regular season conference play. The Scarlet Hawks have held their opponents to 23 total goals on the season, including 9 shutouts. In NACC play, the Scarlet Hawks have only allowed 7 goals all season, including tournament games. The Scarlet Hawks have scored 78 goals on the season for a 3.55 goals per game average. The team also earned 10 all-conference player awards this season under the leadership of Ellison and his staff, as well as the forward of the year and midfielder of the year major awards.
 


Tvesa Vathulya
Sophomore Tvesa Vathulya was named NACC Women's Soccer Forward of the Year, and was a First-Team All-Conference selection. For Vathulya, this is her second consecutive all-conference selection. Vathulya leads the Scarlet Hawks' offensive attack and the NACC conference with a team-high 42 points, recording 14 goals and 14 assists in 22 appearances, including 21 starts. Her 14 assists currently ties her for third in the country in NCAA Division III women's soccer. She leads Illinois Tech in goals, assists, points and shots (68), while placing 36 attempts on goal. Vathulya also registered two game-winning goals, converted her lone penalty-kick attempt and recorded a hat trick. Her combination of scoring and playmaking has made her the centerpiece of an Illinois Tech offense that has produced 78 goals.



Eva Narvarte
Junior midfielder and captain Eva Narvarte was named the NACC Women's Soccer Midfielder of the Year, and a First-Team All-NACC selection. This is Narvarte's second all-conference selection. Narvarte has put together an outstanding offensive season, starting all 22 matches, scoring seven goals and 12 assists for 26 points. Her 12 assists ranks second on the team and second in the NACC, while her 26 points ranks third on the team. She's recorded 52 shots, including 27 on goal, and has converted both of her penalty-kick attempts. Narvarte has also contributed one game-winning goal, and continues to establish herself as one of the Scarlet Hawks' most productive offensive players.



Grace Yager
Sophomore defender and captain Grace Yager has been named a First-Team All-NAAC selection. This is Yager's second consecutive all-conference honor. Yager has made 16 appearances, including 15 starts, totaling 1,058 minutes on the field. She has tallied three goals and four assists for 10 points, recording 21 shots, including 10 on goal. Yager has contributed to the Scarlet Hawks' offensive attack as both a scorer and facilitator, providing balanced production throughout her appearances, while remaining a key component in the Hawks defensive group



Leyna Yonehara
Junior midfielder/defender and captain Leyna Yonehara was named a First-Team All-NACC selection. For Yonehara, this is her second consecutive all-conference selection. Yonehara has been a consistent presence in the Scarlet Hawks' lineup, starting all 22 matches and logging 1,723 minutes, the most among Illinois Tech's field players. She has recorded six assists, tying for third on the team, while contributing nine shots, including three on goal. Her extensive playing time and ability to control the ball and create scoring opportunities, along with her strong defensive play have highlighted her importance to the team's success.



Kayla Thomas
Graduate student forward Kayla Thomas was named a First-Team All-NACC selection. For Thomas, this is her second consecutive all-conference honor. Thomas has enjoyed an impressive scoring campaign, with 11 goals and three assists for 25 points across 20 appearances, including 14 starts. She has been one of Illinois Tech's most efficient finishers, scoring on 39.3 percent of her 28 shots and putting 19 attempts on goal. Thomas also has registered two game-winning goals and a hat trick on the season, providing the Scarlet Hawks with a dangerous scoring option throughout the season.



Clara Estiandan
Sophomore goalkeeper Clara Estiandan was named a Second-Team All-NACC selection. For Estiandan, this is her first all-conference honor. Estiandan took over the primary goalkeeper role in September, and has delivered an outstanding season in goal for the Scarlet Hawks, appearing in 16 matches with 14 starts and compiling an impressive 11-3 record. She logged 1,008:59 minutes, allowing just seven goals while posting a 0.62 goals-against average and an .868 save percentage, both of which lead the NACC. Estiandan has made 46 saves and has been credited with one individual shutout and five combined shutouts. Her strong performances between the posts has helped anchor an Illinois Tech defense that recorded nine team shutouts and finished 11-1 in NACC competition.



Emma Conway
First-year defender Emma Conway was named a Second-Team All-NACC selection. Conway has started all 22 matches for Illinois Tech, logging 1,657 minutes while contributing three goals and six assists for 12 points. She recorded 29 shots, including 12 on goal, and scored two game-winning goals. Conway has developed as one of the Hawks' key threats in the box on set piece opportunities. Conway's consistent presence in the starting lineup and ability to contribute both goals and assists has made her an important part of the Scarlet Hawks' attack, while remaining a steady and stingy defender on the backline.



Olivia Roy
First-year forward Olivia Roy was named a Second-Team All-NACC selection. In her first collegiate season, Roy has emerged as one of Illinois Tech's leading offensive threats, ranking second on the team with 13 goals and 27 points. She has appeared in 21 matches, making 20 starts, and has added one assist while recording 57 shots, including 33 on goal. Roy leads the Scarlet Hawks with three game-winning goals and also registered a hat trick on the season. Her 22.8 percent shooting percentage demonstrates her effectiveness as a finisher.



Leena Almeqbeli
First-year forward Leena Almeqbeli was named an Honorable Mention All-NACC selection. Almeqbeli has provided valuable offensive production for Illinois Tech, appearing in 20 matches with 15 starts. She has recorded five goals and three assists for 13 points, scoring on 25 percent of her 20 shot attempts. Almeqbeli is tied for the team lead with three game-winning goals, demonstrating her ability to deliver in pivotal moments. Her timely scoring has played an important role in the Scarlet Hawks' 16-win season.



Maddie Steele
First-year defender Maddie Steele was namded an Honorable Mention All-NACC selection. Steele is a dependable fixture in the Illinois Tech lineup, starting all 21 matches in which she appeared and logging 1,625 minutes. Although she has not record a goal or assist, her extensive playing time reflects her consistent role in the Scarlet Hawks' defensive unit. Steele's defensive presence and field awareness has contributed to a team that has allowed just 23 goals in 22 matches and recorded nine shutouts, helping Illinois Tech to a 16-6 overall record.