Gorton hosts a unique opportunity to hear about the world of Women’s Soccer from three local legends  who played club soccer through high school and went on to play the Big Ten at Northwestern University,  NWU’s Women’s Soccer Coach Michael Moynihan and Club Coach Oktay Akgun.

NWU players Ingrid Falls, Bridget Mitchell and Nicole Doucette will share how soccer has helped them throughout their lives, moments in their careers where they felt like giving up, thoughts on “pay for play” and what qualities families might look for in a team/club.

The discussion will be moderated by Keith Martino and will touch on the players’ early careers, development, and collegiate experiences, covering pivotal moments in player and coach realization, exposure in recruiting, and transitioning from high school/club to collegiate soccer. Exploring the broader landscape, topics include Title IX’s impact, the influence of the transfer portal and NIL, the success of the NWSL, the dominance of the USWNT, and perspectives on equal pay and opportunities for both.  A lively 60 minute discussion will be followed by 20 minutes of Q&A from the audience.

This event will take place in the intimate setting of the Stuart Room and capacity is limited.

THE PANEL:

Ingrid is a Senior on the Northwestern Women’s Soccer team. She is majoring in Economics and minoring in Business and French. She grew up in Lake Bluff, IL and played club soccer for LFSA, FC United and Eclipse North; she committed to Northwestern in May of her sophomore year.

Bridget Mitchell

Bridget Mitchell is a senior forward on the Northwestern Women’s Soccer team. She is majoring in both Economics and Radio/Television/Film and minoring in Business. She grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois and played club soccer for LFSA, FC United, and Eclipse Select. She also was a member of the LFHS Girls Varsity Soccer team her freshman and senior years of high school. She committed to play soccer at Northwestern University in February of her sophomore year of high school. Her favorite professional women’s soccer player is Sam Kerr. Go cats!

Nicole Doucette

Nicole is a senior defender on the Northwestern Women’s Soccer Team. She is majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Business and Design. She grew up in Lake Bluff, IL and played club soccer for LFSA, FC United and Eclipse North. She committed to play soccer at Northwestern in December of her sophomore year of high school.