University of Minnesota Athletics
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Midfielder
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Gopher Soccer Spotlight: Ellen Neuharth
2/23/2026 2:24:00 PM | Soccer
Get to know the Golden Gophers' freshman midfielder, Ellen Neuharth!
A freshman early enrollee, Ellen Neuharth decided to stay in her home state to play at the next level. The Savage, Minn., native had a decorated prep career, being named the 2025 MSHSL Class AA Ms. Soccer and 2025 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year. She led the Academy of Holy Angels to the 2022 Class AA State championship with runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024 and reached the semi final round in 2025. During her senior season alone, the midfielder scored 25 goals and had three assists.
Gopher Sports: Can you take me through your background?
Ellen Neuharth: "I grew up in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where I started playing soccer. In sixth grade, right after the pandemic, I tried out for MTA (Minnesota Thunder Academy) and attended the Academy of Holy Angels. I have three siblings. My brother plays hockey at Colgate, my older sister attends the University of Iowa as a nursing major, and my younger sister just started her first year at Holy Angels."
GS: How did you get into soccer?
EN: "My dad. My dad really liked soccer, he played in high school. He follows soccer probably more than I do. I only played soccer and basketball growing up and then I quit basketball to pursue soccer. Once I made the ECNL team that's when I decided I wanted to play in college."
GS: Was your dad an inspiration to play soccer and continue playing into college?
EN: "I wouldn't be playing college soccer if it weren't for my dad. He encouraged me to try out for MTA, and he has been my biggest inspiration. I wouldn't love the game as much as I do without his support."
GS: When did you realize that you had a future playing soccer?
EN: "Probably my freshman year, after we won state at Holy Angels, I realized how much of an impact I could have on a team. I played a big role in that championship, and it gave me confidence in my abilities. From that point on, I started to take on a more dominant role with my club team and began playing more consistently."
GS: What are some of your favorite memories from playing club soccer?
EN: "Every showcase being in the hotel with my teammates. They're my best friends to this day and some of the funniest people I know, I love them so much. We went to Sweden this past summer and won the Gothia Cup, that was probably the peak of my club soccer experience."
GS: Why Minnesota?
EN: "I went on a visit here and it felt so great and I didn't want to leave. I couldn't imagine being anywhere better than Minnesota. This place makes me feel like I'm living the dream. I visited on a game day and being in the locker room was so fun. I like to have fun singing and dancing. I love Coach Erin (Chastain). She values people that work hard and that's who I've always been, someone who works hard. The coaching staff made me feel so welcome and I enjoy being close to home. There are so many people here that are helping me succeed."
GS: How would you describe yourself as a player to those who haven't seen you play?
EN: "I'm always a leader, I'm very hardworking and I like to lead by how I play. My coaches have told me I'm a possession oriented player and I like to have fun and work hard."
GS: What are you looking forward to most this spring as an early enrollee?
EN: "So far I'm just getting all of the nerves out. I'm excited to play and get a feel for college soccer."
GS: What goals do you have for this season?
EN: "I'd say my goals are to get better every practice. Being an early enrollee is such a great opportunity for me. I want to get better, faster, stronger and be comfortable enough where I'm not nervous."
GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher?
EN: "Sophia Boman. Her pace and relentlessness while playing and being a captain was so inspiring."
Do you have a favorite soccer player?
EN: "I love Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle, and especially Lindsay Horan because she's such a great leader when she's playing."
Quick Kicks
Favorite soccer player: Lindsay Horan
Favorite sports team: the Timberwolves
Morning game or night game: morning game
If not soccer, what other sport? Basketball
Pregame coffee or energy drink? Energy drink
Gopher Sports: Can you take me through your background?
Ellen Neuharth: "I grew up in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where I started playing soccer. In sixth grade, right after the pandemic, I tried out for MTA (Minnesota Thunder Academy) and attended the Academy of Holy Angels. I have three siblings. My brother plays hockey at Colgate, my older sister attends the University of Iowa as a nursing major, and my younger sister just started her first year at Holy Angels."
GS: How did you get into soccer?
EN: "My dad. My dad really liked soccer, he played in high school. He follows soccer probably more than I do. I only played soccer and basketball growing up and then I quit basketball to pursue soccer. Once I made the ECNL team that's when I decided I wanted to play in college."
GS: Was your dad an inspiration to play soccer and continue playing into college?
EN: "I wouldn't be playing college soccer if it weren't for my dad. He encouraged me to try out for MTA, and he has been my biggest inspiration. I wouldn't love the game as much as I do without his support."
GS: When did you realize that you had a future playing soccer?
EN: "Probably my freshman year, after we won state at Holy Angels, I realized how much of an impact I could have on a team. I played a big role in that championship, and it gave me confidence in my abilities. From that point on, I started to take on a more dominant role with my club team and began playing more consistently."
GS: What are some of your favorite memories from playing club soccer?
EN: "Every showcase being in the hotel with my teammates. They're my best friends to this day and some of the funniest people I know, I love them so much. We went to Sweden this past summer and won the Gothia Cup, that was probably the peak of my club soccer experience."
GS: Why Minnesota?
EN: "I went on a visit here and it felt so great and I didn't want to leave. I couldn't imagine being anywhere better than Minnesota. This place makes me feel like I'm living the dream. I visited on a game day and being in the locker room was so fun. I like to have fun singing and dancing. I love Coach Erin (Chastain). She values people that work hard and that's who I've always been, someone who works hard. The coaching staff made me feel so welcome and I enjoy being close to home. There are so many people here that are helping me succeed."
GS: How would you describe yourself as a player to those who haven't seen you play?
EN: "I'm always a leader, I'm very hardworking and I like to lead by how I play. My coaches have told me I'm a possession oriented player and I like to have fun and work hard."
GS: What are you looking forward to most this spring as an early enrollee?
EN: "So far I'm just getting all of the nerves out. I'm excited to play and get a feel for college soccer."
GS: What goals do you have for this season?
EN: "I'd say my goals are to get better every practice. Being an early enrollee is such a great opportunity for me. I want to get better, faster, stronger and be comfortable enough where I'm not nervous."
GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher?
EN: "Sophia Boman. Her pace and relentlessness while playing and being a captain was so inspiring."
Do you have a favorite soccer player?
EN: "I love Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle, and especially Lindsay Horan because she's such a great leader when she's playing."
Quick Kicks
Favorite soccer player: Lindsay Horan
Favorite sports team: the Timberwolves
Morning game or night game: morning game
If not soccer, what other sport? Basketball
Pregame coffee or energy drink? Energy drink
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