Chicago, Ill. - Illinois Tech women's soccer enters the 2026 season with a familiar target on its back and a roster with some fresh faces. Head coach Roshane Ellison, now a steady presence on the sideline in his 12th season, has built a program that expects to compete deep into November. But as the Scarlet Hawks prepare for another campaign, Ellison isn't talking about past championships or preseason polls. He's talking about developing the team and building towards the team's ultimate goal of post-season success.

"It's a work in progress," Ellison said. "But we're excited about the development thus far. We have a lot of young players who've been integrated into the program, and they've done extremely well."

This season, Illinois Tech will rely on that blend of youth and experience as it chases another conference title and a return to the NCAA tournament. The path forward isn't about replicating what came before. It's about evolving together.

A New-Look Roster With Familiar Expectations

If last year's identity was built on veteran experience, this season's story starts with the influx of first-year talent. At media day, the contrast was striking: seniors, juniors, sophomores — each group about six players deep. Then the first-year class stepped forward, 11 strong.

That wave of newcomers brings both challenges and opportunities. "It's a mixture of both," Ellison said. "The freshmen are adapting to a new environment and a new playing style. There are a lot of details that we communicate to our players, and it takes time to absorb those. But they've come in with enthusiasm, and we're excited about their growth."

Illinois Tech's style of play won't change dramatically, even with a younger roster. Ellison and his staff have recruited players who fit the program's principles, allowing the team to maintain its identity while adapting to its personnel. "It's not a one-size-fits-all," he said. "We're not going to force players into a tactic that doesn't fit their profile. But we've brought in quality players who fit what we want to do."

Leadership That Grows From Within

One of the program's hallmarks under Ellison has been its approach to leadership. With a strong senior class graduating, the team's leadership council ensures that new voices are ready to step forward. "Everything rises and falls on leadership," Ellison said. "We want to provide an environment where our younger players are growing as leaders so there's always a strong presence connected to our program."

Captain Leyna Yonehara returns as one of those steady voices, both on the field and off it. "She's really great at making connections with all of the players," Ellison said. "She'll be highly instrumental." Others like Eva Narvarte, Hannah Ramos, Avery Sealey, Kayla Hampton, and Grace Yager have also stepped into those leadership roles. The expectation, though, is that leadership belongs to everyone. "We've consistently communicated that leadership is everyone's responsibility," Ellison said. "We want all of our players to lead themselves before they lead the team."

That collective mindset extends to the defensive end, where Illinois Tech will rely on a younger group to fill the void left by departing veterans. "It's going to be by committee for us," Ellison said. "Defending is everyone's responsibility. If we're doing a good job from the front, it makes things easier for our back line."

Embracing New Roles and Rising Standards

With so many new faces, Ellison is looking for returning players to set the tone. He points to Narvarte in particular as someone poised for a breakout year. "Eva looks inspired and motivated," he said. "This could be a really exciting year for her."

In goal, the Scarlet Hawks feature a deep group that Ellison describes as both competitive and connected. "There's a healthy competition that exists between the goalkeepers, and there's great reliability with all of them," he said. "We love that environment."

Off the field, Ellison is finding balance in his own life as a new father. "It's all about balance," he said. "Being there for my family and supporting my players — it's a balancing act, and it's been going well so far."

The conference will once again be a grind, with MSOE, Dominican, Concordia Wisconsin, St. Norbert, and Edgewood all in the mix. Illinois Tech was picked preseason No. 1, but Ellison isn't interested in predictions. "Preseason rankings are just people's opinions of us," he said. "We have to prepare and not get comfortable. Every season presents new challenges and new opportunities."

The Why That Drives Illinois Tech Soccer

For Ellison, coaching has always been about more than results. It's about people. "Athletics is one of the greatest teachers when it comes to the development of character," he said. "That's what I love about it — being able to instill and inspire growth in young people through soccer."

That purpose fuels the standard he sets for the program. "We're just going to go out there and give it our best," Ellison said. "That's what we can control. We pursue excellence every time we step on the field."

As Illinois Tech prepares for another season under the lights at Stuart Field, the message is clear: new year, new challenges, same commitment to the work.