Former members of the Milwaukee women’s soccer program have recently garnered attention, most notably with Sarah Hagen being appointed head coach of the Appleton North girls’ soccer team earlier this week.
Hagen, who played for Milwaukee from 2008 to 2011, is recognized as one of the most dominant players in both Panther and NCAA history. She finished ninth on the NCAA Division I scoring chart with 93 goals and ranked 17th with 212 points. Her accolades include being a four-time All-Horizon League and All-America selection, as well as a three-time Horizon League Player of the Year. During her tenure, she helped Milwaukee secure four consecutive regular-season league titles and four NCAA Tournament berths.
Returning to her roots, Hagen will coach at North, where she was a three-time Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association all-state honoree. Previously, she coached DePere’s girls’ team to an 11-7-6 record last season, finishing second in the Fox River Classic Conference.
Haley Johnson, who played for Milwaukee from 2018 to 2022 and earned First Team All-Horizon League honors three times, is concluding another successful professional season overseas. After stints with UMF Selfoss in Iceland and Preston Lions in Australia, she currently ranks second on the Lions with 13 goals and has contributed to their 10-5-1 record as of July 11.
Additionally, recent graduates McKaela Schmelzer (2016-19), Clara Broecker (2020-23), and Brooke Parnello (2019-23) have signed with WFC BllK – Shymkent in Kazakhstan’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. Schmelzer started every game during her college career and earned several accolades including Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year. She also played semi-professionally for Milwaukee Bavarians before signing with Nees Atromitos in Greece.
Broecker and Parnello concluded their collegiate careers last fall as team captains. Broecker earned United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Second Team honors while Parnello was named MVP of the Horizon League Tournament after scoring the decisive goal against Northern Kentucky.
Kelli Swenson (2015-18) is having a successful season with Atlético Ouriense in Portugal. She appeared in 75 games for Milwaukee and was twice named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year.
Elaina LaMacchia (2018-21) began her professional career with Pink Bari CF in Italy before signing with Afturelding in Iceland for the 2024 Lengjudeild season. In her collegiate career, she led the NCAA with a goals-against average of 0.42 and recorded nine shutouts.
