Story by UNK Athletic Communications
Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney head women's soccer coach Rob Breton announced today the names of four newcomers who'll take to the pitch for the Lopers this fall.
In January, Breton announced the signing of a mid-year transfer and five incoming freshmen. This latest group features transfers Hanna Schimmer (Midland U.) and Keila Gillispie (Kansas State U.), freshmen Camrynn Nitta (Honolulu, Hawai'i) and redshirt sophomore Riley Jensen (Bellevue East). She previously played basketball for the Lopers. Jensen (5-10) starred on the Bellevue East soccer, volleyball and basketball teams from 2019-22. Missing one season of soccer due to the pandemic, the two-time Class A all-state defender had 30 career points (13 goals and four assists) to help the Chieftains win 17 games in 2011 and 2022. A member of Sporting Nebraska, she was recruited by national power Central Missouri, among others, for soccer. "Adding Riley to our team is a huge asset to our defense. Not only does she bring a winning mentality, having been on the UNK women's basketball team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament and won a MIAA regular season title, but she also was a two-time Class A defender," said Breton. "She has shown the abilities to compete and strengthen our defense."A native of Newton, Kan., Gillispie (5-8) 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.) C.C. The midfielder/defender was a three-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll qualifier who battled some injuries and appeared 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 S.C. "We're very excited to be adding Keila to our defense this fall. She'll bring a new level of experience to the program having played at the highest level of college soccer for four years," said Breton. "She has a fluid presence on the ball on the ball, has strong leadership skills and a desire to have an immediate impact that will help push our defense to a new height in the fall. I'm looking forward to seeing the impact Keila will have within our program."Schimmer (5-8) is a forward from Council Bluffs, Ia., that scores at an elite level. She tallied 39 points (16 goals and four assists) for the Warriors this past fall to earn first-team All-GPAC honors and help Midland reach the NAIA National Tournament. At Iowa Western C.C. in 2022, Schimmer was part of an NJCAA National Championship squad that posted a 19-3-1 record. The Region Player of the Year, she also was tabbed as a first-team All-American after a 53-point (20 goals and 13 assists) effort. Finally, at Abraham Lincoln High, she produced 125 points (55 goals and 15 assists) over her final two seasons. Not surprisingly, the Lynx posted a 33-4 record during that time. "Bringing Hanna into our team this year adds a whole new dynamic to our attack. Her pace, ability to create space both on and off the ball, and her desire to score will make her a threat in every game," said Breton. "She also brings a winning mentality, having won a National Title at Iowa Western while being named the Offensive Player of the National Tournament and then won a league 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 also has won the past three Division II state titles. Playing for the "Premier" Leahi S.C. team, she won another state title, a Far West Regional title and played in tournaments around the country.
"Camrynn completes our incoming class and bring in a new style of attack to our front line that will help us be much more creative. She has a wonderful understanding of the game with her movements off 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 attribute is her tenacity when she plays; that allows her to make an impact in many ways."UNK reports to fall camp on Monday, Aug. 19, with the regular season opener set for Friday, Sept. 6, at Sioux Falls.