-

Women's Soccer

Molner, Newman tabbed to #HLWSOC Scholar-Athlete Team, Conn named honorable mention

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Northern Kentucky University Norse women's soccer earned three academic nods on Tuesday, as Megan Molner and Natalie Newman were named to the Horizon League Scholar-Athlete Team while Ayla Conn was tabbed an honorable mention. 

"Congratulations to Megan, Natalie, and Ayla!  We are incredibly proud of all three and this well-deserved recognition," said Northern Kentucky head coach Bob Sheehan. "They represent what it means to be a true student-athlete.  Their commitment, discipline, and determination to succeed both academically and athletically set a great example for our entire program."

Molner, a two-time Horizon League Player of the Week this season, earned a spot on the Scholar-Athlete team. Molner has earned a spot on the Horizon League Honor Roll in every semester she's been eligible, and is set to graduate next spring with a degree in exercise science. On the pitch, she's had one of the best single-seasons in Norse history, scoring 15 goals with four assists, good for 34 points on the year. Molner has scored ten of those goals in Horizon League play, and has recorded six total game-winning goals, including four in conference matches. She leads the Horizon league in goals, points, shots, shots on goal, and game-winning goals. 

Natalie Newman, a senior forward from Kewaskum, Wisconsin joined Molner on the Scholar-Athlete team. Newman has also earned a spot on the Horizon League Honor Roll in every eligible semester. She's set to graduate with a degree in marketing next spring, while minoring in business and innovation and entrepreneurship. This season, Newman has appeared in 17 matches, including 14 starts on the season. Newman has recorded career-highs of four goals, five assists, and 13 points on the season, including a brace in a 2-0 win over Bellarmine. She earned Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week for that performance, the first of her career. 

Midfielder Ayla Conn has made a big impact on the Norse this season, and in the classroom. A junior marketing major, Conn has made a pair of appearances on the Horizon League Honor Roll. On the pitch, Conn has made 18 appearances including six starts in the Norse midfield. Entering the season without a point in her Norse career, Conn has logged three goals and three assists this season, including an assist and a game-winning goal in a 2-0 win over Robert Morris. 

Northern Kentucky's three total selections was tied for the second-most, behind IU Indy with four. 

View the full list of Horizon League Scholar-Athlete selections below.

2026 #HLWSOC Scholar-Athlete Team
Olivia Cruz, Cleveland State
Leila Lanier, Detroit Mercy
Laney Stark, Green Bay
Anna Scott, Green Bay
Bethany Hartigan, IU Indy
Caroline Kelley, IU Indy
Keilah Muldrow , IU Indy
Monica Correa, NIU
Megan Molner, Northern Kentucky
Natalie Newman, Northern Kentucky
Julia Becerra, RMU
Taliah Pellizzari, Wright State
Camille Bultel, Youngstown State
 
Honorable Mentions
Aixa Helbringer-Escobar, Green Bay
Lindsey Castillo, IU Indy
Lauren Mrugala, NIU
Ayla Conn, Northern Kentucky
Amanda Leonard, Purdue Fort Wayne
Shauna Gamble, RMU
Ghita Haouzi, Youngstown State

Northern Kentucky takes on IU Indy in the Horizon League Championship Quarterfinal this Saturday at 1 PM at NKU Soccer Stadium. 

FOLLOW NKU NORSE WOMEN'S SOCCER
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I women's soccer team through @NKUNorseWSOC on Twitter, @NKUNorseWSOC on Instagram, nkunorsewsoc on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse YouTube channel.
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Ayla Conn

#19 Ayla Conn

M
5' 11"
Junior
Megan Molner

#5 Megan Molner

F
5' 5"
Senior
Natalie Newman

#3 Natalie Newman

F
5' 5"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Ayla Conn

#19 Ayla Conn

5' 11"
Junior
M
Megan Molner

#5 Megan Molner

5' 5"
Senior
F
Natalie Newman

#3 Natalie Newman

5' 5"
Senior
F