Julia Esperanza de Ritter has signed with the Milwaukee Panthers women’s soccer team and will join the program as a transfer for the 2026 season, head coach Kevin Boyd announced on Mar. 31.
Esperanza de Ritter’s addition is expected to strengthen the roster as she brings experience from Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois. The Milwaukee Panthers women’s soccer team contributes to the athletic tradition at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, according to the official website.
During her sophomore year at Lewis & Clark, Esperanza de Ritter started nine out of eleven games, recorded a goals-against average of 0.83, and achieved three shutouts. She played a key role in helping her team reach a 12-2-3 record and advance to the third round of the NJCAA Central District Tournament before losing narrowly to Iowa Western Community College.
“We are looking forward to Julia joining our program,” Boyd said. “She comes to us from a junior college where she just finished an outstanding season, being recognized as Goalkeeper of the Year for the conference and region. She was developed growing up in a top club, ‘Feyenoord’ in Holland, which is known for their ability to produce players. We expect she will challenge for the starting spot immediately.”
As a freshman at Lewis & Clark, Esperanza de Ritter started all thirteen matches she played in, posting a goals-against average of 0.96 with six shutouts and making thirty-nine saves overall.
The Milwaukee Panthers women’s soccer team is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and supports student-athletes in balancing academics and athletics according to its official website. The team competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Horizon League and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Esperanza de Ritter is originally from Barendrecht, Netherlands where she attended Thorbecke Talentschool Rotterdam.
