University of Minnesota Athletics
11/11/2026 12:07:00 PM | Soccer
The University of Minnesota soccer team has added seven newcomers for the 2027 season
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota soccer head coach Erin Chastain and her staff announced the addition of seven new Golden Gophers for the 2027 season.
Joining the Maroon and Gold are Livi Abboud-Young (Edina, Minn.), Claire Gallagher (Northfield, Ill.), Chloe Hughes (Olmsted Falls, Ohio), Mina Nagashima (Torrance, Calif.), Mia Olenek (St. Charles, Ill.), Alex Vellieux (Plymouth, Minn.) and Brinley Walsh (Carlsbad, Calif.).
Livi Abboud-Young | Edina, Minn. | The Blake School | MTA ECNL
Abboud-Young joins Minnesota after being named the MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) Class AA Ms. Soccer and 2026 Star Tribune All-Minnesota Player of the Year following an impressive career at The Blake School. In total, Abboud-Young has scored 97 goals and recorded 50 assists during her time with the Bears. A back-to-back IMAC (Independent Metro Athletic Conference) Player of the Year in 2025 and 2026, the Edina, Minn., native was selected as a 2026 team captain. Abboud-Young's other accomplishments include being named to the 2025 MSHSL All-Tournament Team, a three-time All-State selection (2023, 2024, 2026), and a four-time All-IMAC competitor (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026). She recently led the Bears to win the 2026 Class AA MSHSL State Championship.
Abboud-Young competes at the ECNL level for MTA and has earned ECNL Girls Midwest All-Conference accolades in 2024, 2025, and 2026. In addition, she was rostered on the ECNL National Selection Game in January of 2026. She earned a No. 26 PrepSoccer National Ranking and a No. 47 TopDrawerSoccer Ranking for the Class of 2027.
The daughter of Abbie Young and Mark Abboud, Livi has one sibling, Emmri. Her father, Mark, played college soccer at Macalester College (1988-1992), where he still holds the single-season goals record (24) and points record (51). He went on to play professionally with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, teams in France, the United Arab Emirates, and Belgium and eventually with the Minnesota Thunder until 2000.
"Playing in the Big Ten has been my dream since I was a little kid, and I feel so lucky to have that chance at the University of Minnesota. I love the team culture the Minnesota staff has created and how welcoming and supportive the coaches are," said Abboud-Young. "I feel like they really know me. Their kindness and knowledge of the game make me excited to learn and grow as a player. The chance to represent my hometown makes it even more special. Academically, I'm interested in kinesiology and sports science, and the University of Minnesota has really strong programs. Finally, I love how the University of Minnesota feels like its own community within the city. Competing at the highest level while living in a town I love and pursuing my academic interests makes the University of Minnesota the perfect fit for me, and I can't wait to meet my teammates and get started!"
Claire Gallagher | Northfield, Ill. | New Trier HS | Chicago FC United GA
A four-year letter winner at New Trier High School, Gallagher was recognized as an All-Section selection in 2025 and a Chicagoland Soccer All-State player back-to-back seasons in 2025 and 2026. Gallagher led her high school to a pair of state championships in 2024 and 2026 and was selected to the 2026 Chicagoland Class AAA Top XI. In addition to her soccer accolades, the Northfield, Ill., native was named an All-American in strength and conditioning by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association).
Gallagher competes with Chicago FC United GA at the club level and assisted in taking her team to the 2026 GA National Finals. In 2024, she led her squad to win the 2024 National Championship and was named 2024 MVP. With Chicago FC United, she's been invited to the Midwest Talent ID Camp in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Claire is the daughter of Jennifer and Patrick Gallagher and has three siblings: Grace, Romy and Emma. She intends to major in business.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it felt like the perfect fit right away," said Gallagher. "The people and environment were so welcoming, and I've always wanted to play soccer at a Big Ten school!"
Chloe Hughes | Olmsted Falls, Ohio | Olmsted Falls HS | Cleveland Force ECNL
Hughes comes to Dinkytown after playing competitively with the Cleveland Force ECNL squad and at Olmsted Falls High School. A four-year soccer varsity letterwinner, Hughes was named to the All-Ohio First Team this past season. In 2025, she was named the Southwest Conference's MVP and was a First Team All-Southwest Conference honoree in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. In addition, Hughes holds school records for most goals scored in a game, season, and career for Olmsted Falls. Academically, Hughes is a Merit Academic Award winner and was named to the school's honor roll.
With Cleveland Force, she was named a First Team All-ECNL National League player in 2026 and to the second team in 2025. Hughes received a U.S. ID Camp invite in 2022.
Chloe is the daughter of Jenelle and Jason Hughes.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it truly felt like home from the moment I stepped on campus, and it checked every box for me!" said Hughes. "From meeting the coaches to spending time with the team, I immediately felt the energy, excitement, and passion that make this program so special. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, positive, and genuinely excited to be a Gopher, which made it so easy to picture myself being a part of it all. The coaches and players made me feel comfortable right away, and I knew I was surrounded by people who would push me to be my best while supporting me every step of the way. The facilities are amazing, and I love the competitive, hardworking, and supportive culture the team has built. On top of that, Minnesota is one of the top comprehensive universities in the country, and I know it will give me incredible opportunities to succeed both as an athlete and in the classroom, while preparing me for whatever career path I choose. Ultimately, Minnesota felt like the perfect fit, and I couldn't be more excited to be a Gopher!"
Mina Nagashima | Torrance, Calif. | Redondo Union HS | FRAM GA, Beach FC ECNL
Hailing from Torrance, Calif., Nagashima is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Redondo Union High School. She helped lead her high school to back-to-back Bay League Championships in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Nagashima has competed for FRAM GA and Beach FC ECNL. She was named to the 2025 GA Southwest Talent ID Roster.
Mina is the daughter of Kazuyuki and Megumi Nagashima and has two older siblings, Konatsu and Hannah. Her sister Hannah is a junior on the University of Rochester soccer team. Nagashima intends to major in chemical or biomedical engineering.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I wanted to attend a strong program that has a great academic and athletic balance," said Nagashima. "The University of Minnesota is in the Big Ten, a competitive conference, as well as having a great engineering program."
Mia Olenek | St. Charles, Ill. | St. Charles East HS | Rockford Raptors FC ECNL
A goalkeeper from St. Charles, Ill., Olenek will come to Dinkytown after competing at St. Charles East High School and with the Rockford Raptors FC ECNL team. At St. Charles, Olenek was a 2026 DuKane County All-Conference and 3A All-Section honoree. She was named Goalkeeper of the Rose-Augsburg Drach Invitational after recording four shutouts in March 2025. With her club team, Olenek helped lead the Raptors to win the ECNL Midwest Conference Championship in 2025. In addition, she earned a spot on the Olympic Development Program Regional team and received a U.S. National Combine Invite.
Mia is the daughter of Brian and Amanda Olenek and has one sibling, Gavin. She intends to major in sports management.
"I chose the University of Minnesota, because since the moment I stepped on campus I truly felt like I was at home," said Olenek. "The coaching staff and players made me feel like one of their own since the start, they everything I was looking for. Playing for a Power Four program has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, getting the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten is more than I could've ever asked for. It's even more of a blessing that I get to do it as a Gopher."
Alex Vellieux | Plymouth, Minn. | Wayzata HS | Tonka Fusion Elite GA
A three-year varsity letter winner at Wayzata, Vellieux earned All-Lakes Conference recognition in 2025. She is a two-time All-State Tournament Team honoree, earning the accolades in 2024 and 2025. Competing with Tonka Fusion Elite GA, Vellieux helped lead her team to GA conference championships in 2023, 2024 and 2026. As a team captain, she assisted in helping earn Tonka Fusion a No. 7 national ranking in 2024 and No. 12 national ranking in 2026. Her success has granted her opportunities to attend the GA Talent ID camp three times and was a GA club representative twice. In 2025, Vellieux attended the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Camp and was also a member of the Olympic Development Program Interregional Team.
Alex is the daughter of Tanya and Joel Vellieux and has one sibling, Owen. She intends to major in biology.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it offers everything I could want both academically and athletically," said Vellieux. "I love that it lets me stay close to home while giving me access to a great academic program for my major. Athletically, the coaching staff and team culture stood out right away. Every time I watch a game at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, it just feels like home and I can't wait to step on the field as a Gopher!"
Brinley Walsh | Carlsbad, Calif. | Carlsbad HS | City SC GA White
Walsh will join the Maroon and Gold after impressive prep careers at Carlsbad High School and with City SC GA White. At Carlsbad, Walsh earned four varsity letters in soccer and was named All-Coastal League Player of the Year while earning All-CIF San Diego First Team honors following the 2025-26 season. After winning the Coastal League last season, her team voted her team MVP. With her club team, Walsh won the 2025 Surf Cup and the 2024 Champions Cup. She was named to the GA Champions Cup Best XI and participated in the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup. In addition, she has received an invitation to the GA Southwest ID Camps in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Last season, she was a GA National ID Camp Invitee.
Brinley is the daughter of Randy and Elizabeth Walsh and has one sibling, Mason. Her father, Randy, was a wrestler from 1992-96 at the United States Naval Academy and her brother, Mason, competes on the UC Davis football team. Brinley intends to major in nursing.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I wanted to challenge myself to play at a high level of soccer and compete against some of the best programs in the nation," said Walsh. "I'm looking forward to living in a new part of the country and attending a big school that has strong athletic and academic programs. Lastly, the coaching staff has made me feel at home since the start of the recruiting process and have been so supportive of me throughout my journey."
Joining the Maroon and Gold are Livi Abboud-Young (Edina, Minn.), Claire Gallagher (Northfield, Ill.), Chloe Hughes (Olmsted Falls, Ohio), Mina Nagashima (Torrance, Calif.), Mia Olenek (St. Charles, Ill.), Alex Vellieux (Plymouth, Minn.) and Brinley Walsh (Carlsbad, Calif.).
Livi Abboud-Young | Edina, Minn. | The Blake School | MTA ECNL
Abboud-Young joins Minnesota after being named the MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) Class AA Ms. Soccer and 2026 Star Tribune All-Minnesota Player of the Year following an impressive career at The Blake School. In total, Abboud-Young has scored 97 goals and recorded 50 assists during her time with the Bears. A back-to-back IMAC (Independent Metro Athletic Conference) Player of the Year in 2025 and 2026, the Edina, Minn., native was selected as a 2026 team captain. Abboud-Young's other accomplishments include being named to the 2025 MSHSL All-Tournament Team, a three-time All-State selection (2023, 2024, 2026), and a four-time All-IMAC competitor (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026). She recently led the Bears to win the 2026 Class AA MSHSL State Championship.
Abboud-Young competes at the ECNL level for MTA and has earned ECNL Girls Midwest All-Conference accolades in 2024, 2025, and 2026. In addition, she was rostered on the ECNL National Selection Game in January of 2026. She earned a No. 26 PrepSoccer National Ranking and a No. 47 TopDrawerSoccer Ranking for the Class of 2027.
The daughter of Abbie Young and Mark Abboud, Livi has one sibling, Emmri. Her father, Mark, played college soccer at Macalester College (1988-1992), where he still holds the single-season goals record (24) and points record (51). He went on to play professionally with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, teams in France, the United Arab Emirates, and Belgium and eventually with the Minnesota Thunder until 2000.
"Playing in the Big Ten has been my dream since I was a little kid, and I feel so lucky to have that chance at the University of Minnesota. I love the team culture the Minnesota staff has created and how welcoming and supportive the coaches are," said Abboud-Young. "I feel like they really know me. Their kindness and knowledge of the game make me excited to learn and grow as a player. The chance to represent my hometown makes it even more special. Academically, I'm interested in kinesiology and sports science, and the University of Minnesota has really strong programs. Finally, I love how the University of Minnesota feels like its own community within the city. Competing at the highest level while living in a town I love and pursuing my academic interests makes the University of Minnesota the perfect fit for me, and I can't wait to meet my teammates and get started!"
Claire Gallagher | Northfield, Ill. | New Trier HS | Chicago FC United GA
A four-year letter winner at New Trier High School, Gallagher was recognized as an All-Section selection in 2025 and a Chicagoland Soccer All-State player back-to-back seasons in 2025 and 2026. Gallagher led her high school to a pair of state championships in 2024 and 2026 and was selected to the 2026 Chicagoland Class AAA Top XI. In addition to her soccer accolades, the Northfield, Ill., native was named an All-American in strength and conditioning by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association).
Gallagher competes with Chicago FC United GA at the club level and assisted in taking her team to the 2026 GA National Finals. In 2024, she led her squad to win the 2024 National Championship and was named 2024 MVP. With Chicago FC United, she's been invited to the Midwest Talent ID Camp in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Claire is the daughter of Jennifer and Patrick Gallagher and has three siblings: Grace, Romy and Emma. She intends to major in business.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it felt like the perfect fit right away," said Gallagher. "The people and environment were so welcoming, and I've always wanted to play soccer at a Big Ten school!"
Chloe Hughes | Olmsted Falls, Ohio | Olmsted Falls HS | Cleveland Force ECNL
Hughes comes to Dinkytown after playing competitively with the Cleveland Force ECNL squad and at Olmsted Falls High School. A four-year soccer varsity letterwinner, Hughes was named to the All-Ohio First Team this past season. In 2025, she was named the Southwest Conference's MVP and was a First Team All-Southwest Conference honoree in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. In addition, Hughes holds school records for most goals scored in a game, season, and career for Olmsted Falls. Academically, Hughes is a Merit Academic Award winner and was named to the school's honor roll.
With Cleveland Force, she was named a First Team All-ECNL National League player in 2026 and to the second team in 2025. Hughes received a U.S. ID Camp invite in 2022.
Chloe is the daughter of Jenelle and Jason Hughes.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it truly felt like home from the moment I stepped on campus, and it checked every box for me!" said Hughes. "From meeting the coaches to spending time with the team, I immediately felt the energy, excitement, and passion that make this program so special. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, positive, and genuinely excited to be a Gopher, which made it so easy to picture myself being a part of it all. The coaches and players made me feel comfortable right away, and I knew I was surrounded by people who would push me to be my best while supporting me every step of the way. The facilities are amazing, and I love the competitive, hardworking, and supportive culture the team has built. On top of that, Minnesota is one of the top comprehensive universities in the country, and I know it will give me incredible opportunities to succeed both as an athlete and in the classroom, while preparing me for whatever career path I choose. Ultimately, Minnesota felt like the perfect fit, and I couldn't be more excited to be a Gopher!"
Mina Nagashima | Torrance, Calif. | Redondo Union HS | FRAM GA, Beach FC ECNL
Hailing from Torrance, Calif., Nagashima is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Redondo Union High School. She helped lead her high school to back-to-back Bay League Championships in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Nagashima has competed for FRAM GA and Beach FC ECNL. She was named to the 2025 GA Southwest Talent ID Roster.
Mina is the daughter of Kazuyuki and Megumi Nagashima and has two older siblings, Konatsu and Hannah. Her sister Hannah is a junior on the University of Rochester soccer team. Nagashima intends to major in chemical or biomedical engineering.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I wanted to attend a strong program that has a great academic and athletic balance," said Nagashima. "The University of Minnesota is in the Big Ten, a competitive conference, as well as having a great engineering program."
Mia Olenek | St. Charles, Ill. | St. Charles East HS | Rockford Raptors FC ECNL
A goalkeeper from St. Charles, Ill., Olenek will come to Dinkytown after competing at St. Charles East High School and with the Rockford Raptors FC ECNL team. At St. Charles, Olenek was a 2026 DuKane County All-Conference and 3A All-Section honoree. She was named Goalkeeper of the Rose-Augsburg Drach Invitational after recording four shutouts in March 2025. With her club team, Olenek helped lead the Raptors to win the ECNL Midwest Conference Championship in 2025. In addition, she earned a spot on the Olympic Development Program Regional team and received a U.S. National Combine Invite.
Mia is the daughter of Brian and Amanda Olenek and has one sibling, Gavin. She intends to major in sports management.
"I chose the University of Minnesota, because since the moment I stepped on campus I truly felt like I was at home," said Olenek. "The coaching staff and players made me feel like one of their own since the start, they everything I was looking for. Playing for a Power Four program has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, getting the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten is more than I could've ever asked for. It's even more of a blessing that I get to do it as a Gopher."
Alex Vellieux | Plymouth, Minn. | Wayzata HS | Tonka Fusion Elite GA
A three-year varsity letter winner at Wayzata, Vellieux earned All-Lakes Conference recognition in 2025. She is a two-time All-State Tournament Team honoree, earning the accolades in 2024 and 2025. Competing with Tonka Fusion Elite GA, Vellieux helped lead her team to GA conference championships in 2023, 2024 and 2026. As a team captain, she assisted in helping earn Tonka Fusion a No. 7 national ranking in 2024 and No. 12 national ranking in 2026. Her success has granted her opportunities to attend the GA Talent ID camp three times and was a GA club representative twice. In 2025, Vellieux attended the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Camp and was also a member of the Olympic Development Program Interregional Team.
Alex is the daughter of Tanya and Joel Vellieux and has one sibling, Owen. She intends to major in biology.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because it offers everything I could want both academically and athletically," said Vellieux. "I love that it lets me stay close to home while giving me access to a great academic program for my major. Athletically, the coaching staff and team culture stood out right away. Every time I watch a game at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, it just feels like home and I can't wait to step on the field as a Gopher!"
Brinley Walsh | Carlsbad, Calif. | Carlsbad HS | City SC GA White
Walsh will join the Maroon and Gold after impressive prep careers at Carlsbad High School and with City SC GA White. At Carlsbad, Walsh earned four varsity letters in soccer and was named All-Coastal League Player of the Year while earning All-CIF San Diego First Team honors following the 2025-26 season. After winning the Coastal League last season, her team voted her team MVP. With her club team, Walsh won the 2025 Surf Cup and the 2024 Champions Cup. She was named to the GA Champions Cup Best XI and participated in the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup. In addition, she has received an invitation to the GA Southwest ID Camps in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Last season, she was a GA National ID Camp Invitee.
Brinley is the daughter of Randy and Elizabeth Walsh and has one sibling, Mason. Her father, Randy, was a wrestler from 1992-96 at the United States Naval Academy and her brother, Mason, competes on the UC Davis football team. Brinley intends to major in nursing.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I wanted to challenge myself to play at a high level of soccer and compete against some of the best programs in the nation," said Walsh. "I'm looking forward to living in a new part of the country and attending a big school that has strong athletic and academic programs. Lastly, the coaching staff has made me feel at home since the start of the recruiting process and have been so supportive of me throughout my journey."
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