ROSEMONT, Ill. – Sophomore midfielder Keira Kemmerley, senior forward Megan Norkett and junior forward Kennedy Roesch were all named 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch, the conference announced on Monday afternoon.
Kemmerley lands Player to Watch recognition after a breakout rookie campaign in 2025, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. In her rookie campaign, Kemmerley tallied a goal and three assists, making 15 starts over 18 appearances. The Berwyn, Pa., native was called into U.S. Under-19 and Under-20 Women’s National Team Training Camps a total of four times following the 2025 season.
Norkett receives the preseason honors after being named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team in 2025. The senior forward from Naperville, Ill., posted three goals to go with three assists last season, including the game-winning goal in NU’s 1-0 Big Ten Tournament victory over USC that sent the ‘Cats to the quarterfinals.
Roesch earns Big Ten Player to Watch recognition for the second consecutive season. The junior forward became the second All-American in program history in 2025. Roesch's 16 career goals are the most by a Wildcat over a two-year span since Addie Steiner in 2014-15 (17) and most by an NU underclassman since Kelsey Hans in 2004-05 (21). She led all Wildcats and ranked third in the Big Ten in goals (10) and points (23), respectively. The San Diego, Calif., native was a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-North Region honoree, ranking second in the conference with six goals in league play.
Northwestern was picked to finish eighth in the 18-team Big Ten's Preseason Coaches Poll. The Wildcats open the 2026 campaign with an early-season test at 2025 NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed and Round of 16 participant Virginia on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 p.m. CT.
2026 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
- Michigan State
- UCLA
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- USC
- Northwestern
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Purdue
- Minnesota
- Rutgers
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Oregon