Co-head coaches Tari St. John and Rob Alman have announced the anticipated arrival of a talented incoming class as six new standouts will join the program for the upcoming fall season.
 
Incoming Bulldogs
Piper Wilkison – Newport Beach, California (West Coast FC)
Ceilidh Whynott – Saint Paul, Minnesota (Salvo Soccer Club)
Macie Mietz – Bethel, Connecticut (Connecticut Football Club)
Léa Larouche – Quebec, Canada (CF Montréal)
Macy Malecki – Northville, Michigan (Michigan Jaguars)
Gemma Gillespie – Rolling Meadows, Illinois (Eclipse Select Soccer Club)
 
The newcomers join an experienced core of twenty returning players and a Bulldog squad that has qualified for postseason play in nine consecutive seasons.
 
Full Roster
2024 schedule
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Piper Wilkison
Newport Beach, California/Mater Dei (West Coast FC) 5'-7", GK
 
Wilkison's West Coast FC side won the 2023 Surf Cub without allowing a goal. The team also won the 2022 West Coast Fútbol Classic and was third in the nation in the 2021 Girls Academy League. In 2019, it was a National Cup Finalist. Wilkison graduated summa cum laude from Mater Dei where she was a National Honor Society member and a CSF Sealbearer.
 
On choosing Butler: "I chose Butler University for its academics as well as its competitive women's soccer program. What had the biggest impact on my decision was the combination of the women's soccer coaching staff, the other women's soccer players, and the broader Butler community. With the head coaches having been at Butler for so long, one could sense the cumulative effort they have put into the program and in shaping a very unique team culture. I immediately noticed the competitive focus and the strong connections that the coaches had formed with their athletes, which were unique compared to any other program. After meeting the girls on the team, I instantly felt the very special culture among athletes who come from all over the country and the world—they are connected, collaborative, and caring. The broader Butler University campus and community are special in so many ways. I am continuously impressed with the carefully curated curriculum that is tightly integrated with industry, serving as a powerful springboard into professional life."
 
Wilkison is the daughter of Pat and Janell Wilkison and has two siblings, Taylor and Kent. She plans to major in Marketing.
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Ceilidh Whynott
Saint Paul, Minnesota/Woodbury (Salvo Soccer Club) 5'-7", F
 
Whynott was a team captain who received All-State and All-Conference honors at Woodbury, finishing first or second in team scoring in each of her final three seasons. Her high school program was an undefeated in conference champion in 2023, also winning the Great Northern Shootout. Her Salvo SC side qualified for the Girls Academy Summer Playoffs in 2023-24. Whynott was a two-time GA Mid-America Talent ID invitee and was a team/club representative to the GA Advisory Panel. the forward tallied 33 goals and 11 assists over her final three seasons. At Woodbury High School, Whynott was a National Honor Society board member and President of Royal Connections Club which assists students with special needs. The AP Scholar graduated magna cum laude.
 
On choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because of everything it offers academically and personally, the beautiful campus, and the great soccer program with amazing teammates and coaches."
 
Whynott is the daughter of Bruce Whynott and Shauna MacDougall and has one sibling, Breckin. She plans to major in Health Science.
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Macie Mietz
Bethel, Connecticut/Bethel HS (Connecticut Football Club) 5'-7", D
 
Mietz was a four-year varsity starter and letterwinner at Bethel High School, racking up 55 goals and 58 assists over her career. Earning All-New England, All-State, and All-Conference recognition over multiple seasons, the team captain was also named to the 2023 GameTimeCT All-State First Team and was a two-time Top-25 CIAC Player to Watch. In club competition, her Connecticut FC side reach the Sweet 16 at the 2023 ECNL National Championship. Mietz also ran track at Bethel, setting school records in the indoor 600m and the outdoor 4x800m. She was named to the High Honor Roll and All-Conference Academic Team over multiple years.
 
On choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because I felt it was a great fit for me, both athletically and academically, to meet my goals as a player and a student. The style of play, along with the experience of the coaching staff, put me in the position to be the best version of myself."
 
Mietz is the daughter of Abbie and Geoff Mietz and has three siblings, Lauren, Kendall, and Holli. She plans to major in Exploratory Business.
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Léa Larouche
Québec, Canada/École Saint-Gabriel (CF Montréal) 5'-7", F
 
Larouche's CF Montreal side won the 2023 Québec Cup as well as the 2023 Ligue1 Québec summer season, qualifying for the Ligue1 Canada Interprovencial Championship. In the Niagara 2022 Canada Games, she represented Québec and brought home a silver medal. In 2021, she won a Golden Boot when she scored 22 goals over 15 matches playing up with U16 AAA in the LSEQ League. Larouche maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.
 
On choosing Butler: "From my first conversation with the coaching staff, I could see myself evolving and growing to become the best version of myself, athletically and as a human being, at Butler. On my official visit, I immediately felt at home, and that just confirmed my decision to become a Bulldog!"
 
Larouche is the daughter of France Dupont and Martin Larouche and has one sibling, Alexandre. She plans to major in Neurosciences.
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Macy Malecki
Northville, Michigan/Northville HS (Michigan Jaguars) 5'-9", midfield
 
Malecki was invited to the Girls Academy Mid-America Talent ID event and was a GA team rep over multiple seasons. She also competed at the 2021 U.S. YNT Regional Identification Center. The center-midfielder was a multiple-year team captain for a Michigan Jaguars club team that was the 2024 Mid-America Conference Champion, 2023-24 Girls Academy playoff qualifier, and 2019 Midwest Regional Champion. At Northville High School, Malecki was a National Honor Society member during all four years.
 
On choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because I knew it would be the best fit for me with the highly competitive and top-notch academics and athletic programs. In terms of the soccer program, as soon as I stepped on campus, I felt at home. The entire coaching staff and girls on the team made me feel welcome and respected. I know that the coaches care about me not only as an athlete, but as a person, and will do everything to help me be the best I can be on and off the soccer field."
 
Malecki is the daughter of Nicole Malecki and Randy Malecki and has one sibling, Brandon. She plans to major in Software Engineering.
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Gemma Gillespie
Rolling Meadows, Illinois/Fremd (Eclipse Select Soccer Club) 5'-8", D
 
Gillespie received All-State, All-Sectional, and All-Conference honors over multiple seasons at Fremd High School, a program that finished third in the 2023 IHSA State Championship. The center-back played club for Eclipse Select SC.
 
On choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because it fosters a fantastic environment to grow as a player and person. The coaches are amazing, and I love the campus. Go dawgs!"
 
Gillespie is the daughter of Mike and Terri Gillespie and has three siblings, Gia, Tommy, and Joey. She plans to major in Marketing.