BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University soccer head coach
Nathan Kogut added 11 newcomers (seven transfers and four freshmen) to the squad for the 2026 regular season. Among those arriving is a four-time state champion, a transfer from Big Ten Conference school, one member north of the border and one from within the Southland Conference.
"We are really excited about our newcomers for 2026," head coach
Nathan Kogut said. "Our staff did a lot of quality work to identify extraordinary human beings and fantastic soccer players, and they've all stepped into our environment with intentionality and impact."
Lauren Smith – 5-6 – So. - Defender – Frisco, Texas – Frisco Memorial HS (Texas Tech/Illinois)
Although she signed for Texas Tech on National Signing Day and was an early enrollee, Smith later transferred to Illinois last season to join the Fighting Illini. At Frisco Memorial High School, she earned two all-district honors for the Warriors. Smith was also the captain of her club team, Sting Black and scored 10 goals throughout her career.
"Lauren is another player we got to see play out of Sting Black in Dallas quite a bit in her prep career and we are so excited about her continuing her college career in Beaumont," said Coach Kogut. "A true ball-playing center back, she fits our style of play tremendously and we could see later in the spring how much she would impact our group once the full roster came together. Her personality and leadership will impact our program in the right way on and off the field."
Mary Grace Batson – 5-9 – Jr. - Forward – Wiggins, Miss. – Stone HS (Jones College)
Batson arrives in Beaumont after spending two seasons at Jones College. There, she appeared in 37 matches, scored eight goals, including three game-winners, and dished out four assists for the Bobcats.
At Stone High School, she was the Tomcats' leading scorer in all but one season, finishing with 92 goals and 59 assists. A five-time team offensive MVP, Batson led her squad to a state title in 2022 and a state runner-up finish a year later while being selected for the Coast All-Star Game.
"MG is another one of our Mississippi junior college kids that we've had so much success with," said Coach Kogut. "She is a Swiss Army knife in that we've already played her at four or five spots and know she's got the ability to play another couple at a high level. Add on the fact that she is a wonderful person and you can see why we are excited that she chose us."
Lillian Beckham – 5-3 – So. - Midfielder – Tyler, Texas – Tyler Legacy HS (UIW)
Beckham trades one Cardinal jersey for another after she spent her freshman season at UIW. In San Antonio, she appeared in 10 games, took three shots and recorded an assist against Tarleton State.
Beckham was a key contributor for her high school squad, leading them to the state playoffs all four years. She was voted team MVP twice and collected co-district MVP honors, first-team all-district recognition, newcomer of the year, two second-team all-region honors, two Golden Boot accolades and was named Best Preps East Texas Female Soccer Player of the Year and All Rose County Player of the Year.
"Lily is someone we identified at the club level and thought she could impact our program," said Coach Kogut. "So we are thrilled that she chose us for her next chapter in her career. She can distribute well from multiple spots on the field and we love her ability to press and generate attacks from her work rate. Her impact on the field and in our culture is something we can't wait to see."
Taya Rich – 5-5 – So. - Defender – Farmington, Utah – Farmington HS (North Idaho College)
Rich makes her arrival to Beaumont from North Idaho College, where she spent her freshman season. In 17 games, she made 14 starts and took three shots with one on goal. She was on the field for four shutouts, including a 13-0 win over Pacific Northwest Christian College. At Farmington High School, she helped lead the Phoenix to the state finals during her sophomore season.
"Taya was someone that popped onto our radar really late this cycle, but we knew she had all the qualities we needed out of an outside back in our system," said Coach Kogut. "She reads the game, loves to tackle, and we really like her ability to get into the attack. Her pace and soccer IQ will be beneficial in our press."
Elena Scianna – 5-3 – So. - Midfielder – Gainesville, Va. – Patriot HS (Morehead State)
Scianna spent two seasons at Morehead State, where she tallied 49 minutes in eight games and helped the Eagles to three shutouts. She was a three-year starter for the Patriot High Pioneers and led her team in scoring during her junior and senior seasons. As a sophomore, the Pioneers would win their regional finals and reach the state championship game.
"We knew we needed a crafty center midfielder going into the spring portal and we are thrilled we were able to land Elena," said Coach Kogut. "She is a technical attacking player that wants to play forward and can provide the final pass to unlock defenses. We are excited to see her play in our system and thrive in the conference."
Keely Thomas – 5-8 – Sr.- Goalkeeper – Richmond, Va. – Maggie L. Walker Governor's School (Long Island)
Thomas spent three seasons with the Long Island Sharks. Winning 17 games, she also produced 10 shutouts, a 1.53 goals against average and recorded 234 saves (.767 save percentage). Before joining the Sharks, Thomas was a freshman at Longwood University.
An all-conference honoree in high school, she led the Green Dragons to a Class 2 state championship as a freshman (2019). She also played club soccer for Richmond United, winning four Mid-Atlantic conference titles and earning three trips to the national semifinals. Thomas was named the conference's goalkeeper of the year in 2019.
"It feels like everyone is looking for a keeper and we feel lucky to have a player with three years of starting experience ready to compete for minutes right away with Keely," said Coach Kogut. "She is a good shot stopper and wonderful with her feet, something that we require out of the keeper room. Her ability to command her box and earn her teammates trust will be beneficial in our quest for another Southland title."
Ekemini Udofa – 5-9 – Jr. - Forward – Rochester, N.Y. – Greece Odyssey Academy (St. Bonaventure)
Udofa comes down to Texas following two seasons at St. Bonaventure. With the Bonnies, she appeared in 26 contests scoring two goals while registering an assist. In high school, she earned second-team all-state and first-team all-county honors and was voted the team MVP.
"Ekemini is one of those kids that you see play and all you can say is 'wow'. Her speed and technical quality are everything we want out of our attackers and she can play across the entire front line," said Coach Kogut. "We think she has loads of potential waiting to break out in our system and can't wait to see her get going."
Mia Hodgson – 5-9 – Fr. - Defender – Houston, Texas – Episcopal HS
Hodgson spent her high school career with the Lady Knights. While there, she won two Class 4A Southwest Preparatory Conference championships (sophomore and senior year), scoring the winning penalty kick. She was also named First-Team All-South Zone and Houston Chronicle.
"Mia has been our longest committed player in our 2026 class and we are already thrilled with her development," said Coach Kogut. "Her training with Albion in Houston and their ECNL program has allowed her to flourish as both a defender and holding midfielder. Her ability to defend and win balls out of the air will help us in a conference that plays physical and demands aerial presence against set pieces."
Brianna Lascano – 5-6 – Fr. - Center Midfielder – Bradford, Ontario – Holy Trinity Catholic HS
Lascano spent four seasons with Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Bradford, Ontario. While with the Tigers, she helped them to four straight CSASC League championships, four GBSSA titles, and two OFSAA provincial titles.
On the club level, she played for both the Woodbridge Strikers 2008 U17 team in 2025 and Union FC in 2024. Lescano was also called up for the Uruguayan U20 National Team camp.
"Brianna is our first Canadian since we've been at LU and we hope the start of a fruitful pipeline," said Coach Kogut. "She is a tidy, technical midfielder that can play in all three spots at a high level. She has the size to handle the physicality of the conference and the technical ability to thrive in tight spaces when we are pressed. She is going to be someone that we think will be able to boss the midfield for years to come."
Diem Sealy – 5-6 – Fr. - Midfielder – Frisco, Texas – Panther Creek HS
Sealy spent her high school career with the Panthers, where she led them to a bi-district championship as a sophomore in 2024. For her play that season, she earned First Team and Academic All-District honors.
Sealy also played club soccer for FC Dallas ECNL and is a member of the Trinidad and Tobago national team system.
"Diem was the last player we added in the freshmen class and someone that we think has a bright future at LU and her national team," Coach Kogut said. "She has a very high soccer IQ and comes from a true soccer family of pros, so she knows the standards and behavior to reach her big goals. We anticipate her playing across the front line and midfield and making an instant impact in our group from the very first minute."
Ryleigh Stifflemire – 5-5 – Midfielder – Gunter, Texas – Celina HS
A four-time state champion at Celina, Stifflemire made history by being the first UIL soccer player, male or female, to win back-to-back state championship game MVPs. Throughout her career, the Bobcats won 109 games in the 115 contests she appeared in. As a senior, she scored five goals and dished out 13 assists. She was named to the UIL 4A D1 All-Tournament Team, TASCO Second-Team All-State and was a two-time THSCA Girls Soccer Super Elite Team Class 4A MVP.
"Ryleigh was someone we got onto late in the 2026 class and it became obvious that she was a versatile player who just wins," said Coach Kogut. "We could see her playing in a variety of positions, just as she has in her club and high school career. We value versatility and think Ryleigh brings that in bunches. We are excited to see how fast she steps in and makes an impact in our program."
