CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago women's soccer is excited to announce seven commitments from the class of 2026 on National Signing Day. The group of soon-to-be collegiate student-athletes is made up of five Illinoisans, one Michigander and one Canadian. 

Anna Bigenwald | Goalkeeper | Indian Head Park, Ill. | Lyons Township  
Anna Bigenwald is a standout goalkeeper from nearby Indian Head Park, Ill. who totaled 133 saves in the 2025 season. The 5-foot-8 multi-sport athlete has proven success records across soccer, basketball and flag football, earning All-West Suburban Conference Silver Division honors and being named MVP and All-State in flag football. n. A proven leader and competitor, Bigenwald was also named MVP and All-State in flag football and participated in her school's athletic leadership program. Off the field, Bigenwald participates in Lyons Township's athletic leadership program, is a National Honor Society member and an honor roll student. She competes at the club level with the Lagrange Celtics. 

Jon Sandoval on Bigenwald: "Anna is an exceptional athlete with great instincts and presence in goal. Her versatility and leadership across multiple sports speak to her competitiveness and work ethic. She'll bring in more confidence and communication that will be a great addition to our already stellar goalkeeper group." 

Sarah Collins | Defender | Rochester Hills, Mich. | Notre Dame Prep  
Sarah Collins is a talented defender from Notre Dame Prep out of Rochester Hills, Michigan. The 5-foot-3 outside back earned First Team All-State honors in 2025 and was recognized as a 2024 ECNL Midwest Second Team All-Conference selection with Liverpool Football Club. Excelling both athletically and academically, Collins has achieved the highest academic honors each year and earned multiple academic scholar awards in multiple classes. She plans to major in biology at Loyola. 

Jon Sandoval on Collins: "Sarah is a smart, composed defender with great pace and technical ability. She reads the game exceptionally well and brings a steady presence to the back line. Her dedication in the classroom and on the field embodies the values of our program, and we're excited to welcome her to Loyola." 

Annie Fitzgerald | Midfield/Forward | Downers Grove, Ill. | Benet Academy  
Annie Fitzgerald, a dynamic midfielder/forward out of Downers Grove, Ill. is at 5-foot-7 playmaker who has been a key contributor for her high school team, earning Chicagoland Soccer All-State, All-Sectional, All-Conference and All-Area honors while leading her team in both scoring and points. A two-time state runner-up with Benet, Fitzgerald also captains her Chicago Inter ECNL team and was named to the ECNL Midwest First Team All-Conference and National League Best XI. Off the field, she shines as a National Honor Society member, a four-time high honor roll student and a student government representative while planning to major in exercise science at Loyola. 

Jon Sandoval on Ftizgerald: "Annie is a creative and composed player who makes those around her better. She has technical ability and leadership qualities that stand out both on and off the field. Her competitive spirit and drive to excel make her a perfect fit for our program." 

Riga Kallaba | Midfield | Chicago, Ill. | Jones College Prep 
Chicago's own Riga Kallaba joins Loyola as a talented midfielder and brings valuable international experience, having competed with Kosovo's youth and senior national teams. The 5-foot-2 playmaker made an immediate impact on the international stage, scoring five goals and adding four assists in her debut, and netted her first goal in Euro Qualification play at just 15 years old with the U19 team. A standout for Chicago Inter SC, Kallaba has been featured in multiple Top Drawer Soccer recruiting reports and has trained with both Regional and State Olympic Development Programs.  

Jon Sandoval on Kallaba: "Riga is an incredibly gifted player in the midfield with a high level of international experience. Her work rate, vision and composure on the ball allow her to see the flow of play and create scoring opportunities. She brings a maturity beyond her years, and we're excited to see the impact she'll make in our program." 

Ana Mrotzek | Midfield | Oak Park, Ill. | Oak Park and River Forest 
Ana Mrotzek is a 5-foot-3 playmaker who led her team in total points during the 2025 season. She earned back-to-back West Suburban All-Conference honors in both 2024 and 2025. With Chicago FC United, Mrotzek was recognized at the Girls Academy Mid-America Talent ID events in 2023 and 2024. She also excels academically as a four-time honor roll student. 

Jon Sandoval on Mrotzek: "Ana is a dynamic and creative midfielder who brings great energy and vision to the game. She has a strong technical foundation and a competitive drive that motivates those around her. We're excited to see the impact she'll make in our program both on and off the field." 

Addison Schaffer | Midfield/Forward | Lake in the Hills, Ill. | Crystal Lake Central 
Loyola adds Addison Schaffer, a talented 5-foot-3 midfielder/forward who helped lead her team to the 2024 IHSA 2A State Championship after a third-place finish in 2023 and earned numerous honors, including All-Sectional, FVC All-Conference (2023-2025) and Body Armor MVP (2025). A member of the Rockford Raptors ECNL and a three-time Olympic Development Program (ODP) Illinois State Team selection, Schaffer has been recognized on the All-State Watchlist in both her sophomore and junior seasons. She also performs well academically, earning consistent honor roll and high honor roll distinctions. 

Jon Sandoval on Schaffer: "Addison is a versatile player who can impact the game in multiple ways. Her attacking instincts and composure under pressure make her a difference-maker in the final third. We're thrilled to have her join our program and look forward to watching her continue to grow at the collegiate level." 

Victoria Zeni | Forward | Toronto, Ontario | Bill Crothers Secondary School 
Victoria Zeni, Loyola's sole international recruit, is a 5-foot-7 striker known for her athleticism and finishing ability and is a prolific scorer with Vaughn Soccer Club. The Canadian national also has experience with League One as a key player for their 2008 team and is a consistent honor roll student who plans to major in finance next fall.  

Jon Sandoval on Zeni: "Victoria is a powerful attacking player with a natural instinct for scoring goals. She has a strong presence in the final third, making her a constant threat to opposing defenses. We're excited to add her to our attacking group and can't wait to see the impact she'll make at Loyola."