Eastern Illinois incoming women's soccer midfielder Amara Leppla has been named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year following her senior season at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wis.
 
Leppla scored 39 goals with eight assists leading the team to a 16-3 record and Wisconsin Division I Sectional Final this past season.  She set the school record for single season goals and netted four goals in the school's 6-0 WIAA Regional Final win over Oshkosh West HS.  She was named the top area player as a senior by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
 
The EIU soccer team will return to campus in late July with the first of two exhibition matches at Lakeside Field on August 5 against Southern Illinois.  The 2026 season opener will also be at home with the Panthers hosting Valparaiso at 3 pm on Thursday, August 13.