Iowa Soccer Signs 5 for 2027

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s soccer program has signed five student-athletes for the 2027 season, head coach Dean Ward announced Wednesday.

The five signees include 2026 High School All-American Soccer Game selections Parker Evans and Ella Dusenberry, along with Channing Xayarath, Josie Smalley and Nellie Last of Sweden.

“We are excited to welcome this group of talented young women to our program,” Ward said. “They bring specific on-field qualities to our team and are all fantastic people who will fit our high-performing culture and environment. We can’t wait to help them develop their talents and see them thrive here at the University of Iowa.”

Parker Evans (D)
Mason, Ohio
William Mason High School, Ohio Elite Soccer Academy

High School/Club - First Team All-Conference and First Team All-City Selection…2026 High School All-American…Two-time team captain…2025 Club Conference Cup Champion…USWYNT ID Center participant.

Personal - Parents are Troy and Jill… Father, Troy, played football at the University of Cincinnati and played in the NFL for 10 years, winning a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010… Mother, Jill, played volleyball at Cincinnati… Sister, Payton, plays volleyball at Akron.

Channing Xayarath (F)
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Homestead High School, Indy Premier

High School/Club - Two-time All-State selection…Two-time All-District honoree…Two-time All-Region selection…2026 All-American…Led her high school team in scoring in 2026…Two-time USWYNT ID Center participant…Girls Academy Mid America Talent ID selection…Two-time 3A Sectional Champion…Two-time regional finalist.

Personal - Father played football for Tri-State University and mother was a cheerleader for Purdue University-Fort Wayne.

Ella Dunsenberry (D)
Delaware, Ohio
Olentangy Berlin High School, Ohio Premier

High School/Club - Two-time First Team All-Conference…2026 Conference Player of the Year…2025 Team Defensive Player of the Year…High school team captain…Two-time Club First Team All-Conference…2023 ID2 National Team selection…2023 ECNL Conference Cup participant…Five-time USWYNT ID Center participant…Two-time district champion.

Personal - Parents are Thomas and Courtney Dusenberry

Josie Smalley (GK)
Richmond, Va.
The Collegiate School of Richmond, Richmond United

High School/Club - Three-time All-LIS selection…Three-time All-State honoree…Two-time All-Metro selection…Holds a career .448 goals against average…Two-time state champion…Three-time LIS champion…Three-time club national playoffs participant…Mid-Atlantic champion.

Personal - Parents are Chad and Shannon Smalley.

Nellie Last (M)
Kungälv, Sweden
Aspero Idrottsgymnasium, BK Häcken

High School/Club - Started playing soccer in Kungälvs FF in 2014… Played for Ytterby IS between 2017-2021… Played for IFK Göteborg 2021-2025… Started in all 22 games in 2026, recording six goals and five assists.

Personal - Parents are Fredrick and Marie Last…Father, Fredrick, played professional hockey in Sweden for Frölunda HC, and minor league in the U.S.