Milwaukee City Wire

Lainey Higgins, a standout soccer player from Appleton East High School, concluded her collegiate career with the Milwaukee Panthers after four years marked by team and individual success. At Appleton East, Higgins was recognized for her achievements on the field, earning First-Team Fox Valley Association All-Conference honors and an honorable mention in the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association All-State selection during her senior year.

Higgins chose to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) due to its proximity to her hometown and the strength of its women's soccer program. "I chose UWM for college because it was decently close to my hometown of Appleton, had a very competitive and successful women's soccer program, as well as would prepare me for a successful career," Higgins said. "The city of Milwaukee itself provided both a city and suburban lifestyle which I instantly knew I would enjoy."

Before Higgins joined the team, the Panthers had established themselves as a strong force in collegiate soccer, posting a 58-6-7 record over four seasons and making three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Aware of these expectations, Higgins worked to meet the standards set by previous players. "There was immense pressure coming into a highly competitive and successful program," she said. "I did my best to go in with an open mind and work extremely hard to prove I could be a trustworthy freshman. Coming into this program, I picked up on my team's competitiveness and drive to be a feared opponent in the Horizon League."

In her first season at Milwaukee, Higgins played in all 21 games off the bench and contributed six points with one goal and four assists as the Panthers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She made her debut against Northern Illinois and scored her first collegiate goal against Cleveland State.

"It wasn't hard to notice the winning culture this team had created, and I tried my best to follow and meet the standards that were set and continuously put in my best effort," she said. "As a freshman, there was pressure to perform well enough to keep my team's momentum going and bring my best efforts to the field when I got the chance." Reflecting on that period, she added about her first goal: "My first goal was against Cleveland State in a 7-0 win... Not the most special, unfortunately, but it was a fun game!"

That season included an undefeated league run (11-0-0), two shutouts for another Horizon League Tournament title, an upset over No. 14 Xavier in NCAA play, before ending with defeat at No. 2 Virginia.

After significant roster changes following graduation of several seniors and arrival of new coaching staff Kevin Boyd and Steve Lucas before her sophomore year, Higgins became a regular starter. She started all 19 games that season—leading both her team and conference with ten assists—and helped Milwaukee reach another NCAA Tournament appearance.

A loss early that season stood out for Higgins as formative: "That singular regular season Horizon League loss reflects on the culture of our team," she said. "That ONE loss I experienced within my four years still haunts me today... each player before me on this team made winning look 'easy'... during that very first league game of my sophomore season... winning was not easy."

By graduation, Higgins ranked tenth all-time at UWM with 62 points; tied seventh in assists (24); eighth in shots attempted (171); fifth-most consecutive games played (81); and one of only eight players ever at Milwaukee never missing a match across their careers.

"That loss was one of the most valuable lessons I could have learned as a player," she said. "While I have gotten to enjoy... victories with my team over... four years... without experiencing that loss... resilience would not be at [this] level..."

Her development continued each year—earning First Team All-Horizon League honors as both sophomore and junior; United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Third Team recognition; finishing among league leaders statistically; while crediting teammates’ support: "My teammates and coaches also helped me grow as their belief... allowed me to instill confidence within myself..."

Senior year saw further achievement: named Horizon League Player of the Year after tallying nine goals with four assists; again First-Team All-League; United Soccer Coaches Second-Team All-Region selection; second overall in league points-per-game average.

"Being named Horizon League Player of the Year reflects on how powerful... resilient... program I got to be part of," she stated. The honor made her only ninth student-athlete at UWM so recognized—a fact relayed by teammate Abby Stoeck via text message: "I found out I was named player of the year from my teammate Abby Stoeck..." She added: "...all hard work… did not go unnoticed."

During Higgins’s tenure at Milwaukee Panthers women’s soccer—from 2021 through 2024—the team won four regular-season titles plus four tournament crowns while qualifying for NCAA postseason play every year.

"Each achievement… something I will always remember," she said about those accomplishments under Coach Boyd’s leadership.

Off-field academic excellence paralleled athletic performance—she earned numerous awards including being named Horizon League Fall Scholar-Athlete for 2024; selections for College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team; multiple placements on conference academic teams/honor rolls.

"I think most memorable matches will always be Horizon League tournament games we have hosted at Engelmann," noted Higgins regarding home-field moments during playoff runs attended by large crowds—including contests versus nationally-ranked opponents such as Michigan State or Virginia—which remain highlights from her playing days.

She concluded: "There are so many amazing memories… My favorites would be getting to lift [the] trophy… honor all our hard work…"