CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer announced today the additions of 10 players to the Fighting Illini roster for the 2025 season.
ASHLYN ADAMS | FORWARD | WHEATON, IL | WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH HS | WHEATON UNITED
ABOUT ADAMS
- Scored a Wheaton Warrenville South HS record 28 goals in 2024...added eight assists
- 2024 all-conference, all-state and all-Midwest honoree
- 2024 USYS Midwest Regional Champion with Wheaton United
- 2024 USYS National Best 11 Team U18
- 2024 USYS National Golden Boot Winner U18
- 2024 USYS U18 National Finalists
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose Illinois because of its great academic and athletic programs. I felt so at home and welcomed when I was with the team. I loved how supportive it is while being in a very competitive environment, pushing everyone to get better and strive for one goal. It is an honor to play for my home state!"
KYRA BERMAN | FORWARD | OVERLAND PARK, KS | BLUE WEST VALLEY HS | SPORTING BLUE VALLEY
ABOUT BERMAN
- Tallied 17 goals and 11 assists to lead Blue Valley West HS to a 6A Kansas State Championship in 2024
- Scored 10 goals and added 11 assists during the 2022 season to help Blue Valley West HS to a state title
- Three-time all-conference and one-time first team all-state honoree
- Three-time Top Drawer Soccer Club Soccer Standouts selection
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose Illinois because of its established soccer program and tradition and its premier academics."
MILLIE BYERLY | DEFENDER | OWASSO, OK | OWASSO HS | TULSA SOCCER CLUB
ABOUT BYERLY
- 2023 OSSAA 6A All-District honoree
- Tallied 12 goals and six assists in her junior year at Owasso HS
- 2023 ECNL National Selection Game
WHY ILLINOIS: "Illinois felt so comforting the moment I arrived on campus and met some of the team. The coaches and players made the unknown fell less scary and more like a home. I knew it was the right fit for me and I am excited to see what new doors the University of Illinois will open for me."
SOSI DADEKIAN | DEFENDER | BLOOMINGTON, IL | BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | CENTRAL ILLINOIS UNITED
ABOUT DADEKIAN
- 2022 Unanimous All Big-12 Conference First Team honoree
- 2022 IHSCCA All-Sectional First Team honoree
- Captained Central Illinois United to a seventh place finish at GA Nationals in 2023
- 2023 US Soccer Talent ID Center
- 2022 USYS Midwest Regionals U15 Champions
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose Illinois because the coaches and players were so friendly and welcoming on my first visit. Immediately I noticed the strong team chemistry and knew I wanted to be a part of this soccer program. From everyone singing pre-game hype songs to off-the-field activities, it felt like a family. The practices were inspiring because of the coaches' ability to push the athletes to their highest potential and encourage them as well."
TATYM DEVER | DEFENDER | CHICO, CA | CHICO HIGH SCHOOL | DAVIS LEGACY
ABOUT DEVER
- ECNL All-Conference Second Team honoree with Davis Legacy
- Helped Chico HS to the 2023 CIF NorCal D-III Championship
- Named to the California ODP team
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose Illinois because of the competitive environment that the program provides, which I felt matched my energy well. The coaches and players all share a love for the game that is contagious and joyous to be around, overall making the decision very easy and exciting."
PERLA DEL ROSARIO GUZMÁN | MIDFIELDER / FORWARD | CHICAGO, IL | ACERO GARCÍA HS | INDY PREMIER
ABOUT GUZMÁN
- Helped Indy Premier to the Girls Academy League Finals in 2023
- Has played three seasons for Indy Premier SC
WHY ILLINOIS: "The University of Illinois was everything I was looking for both academically and athletically. They have a top early childhood program with great resources for academic success. Athletically, the Illinois women's soccer team is such a competitive environment with amazing staff and players which is everything I could ask for."
AVA HANCOCK | FORWARD / MIDFIELDER | SPRINGFIELD, IL | SACRED HEART-GRIFFIN HS | ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER
ABOUT HANCOCK
- 2024 ECNL First Team All-Conference Midwest with St. Louis Scott Gallagher
- 13 goals and 24 assists in her last two seasons at Sacred Heart-Griffin HS
- 2024 Central State Eight First Team All-Conference honors in track
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose Illinois because of the excellent academic reputation of the school. I also loved the team culture and beautiful facilities."
TÉA MAYSON | DEFENDER | NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA | BURNABY CENTRAL SECONDARY SCHOOL | VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
ABOUT MAYSON
- 2023 FIFA Blue Stars Youth Cup Champion
- Three-time League 1 BC Champion with Vancouver Whitecaps Elite
- Two-time League 1 Canada Champion
- 2024 CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup participant
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose the University of Illinois because it offered the best environment to challenge me both athletically and academically. The women's soccer team provides a supportive and competitive environment as well as top tier competition where I know I will be pushed to grow as a player. The university also has a world class engineering program that will prepare me for my future. I'm excited to be a part of the Illini family and develop into the best athlete and person I can be."
KAYLA PARDINI | MIDFIELDER | SMITHTOWN, NY | SMITHTOWN WEST HIGH SCHOOL | SUSA
ABOUT PARDINI
- 2023 NYSSCOGS 2A Second Team All-State honoree
- 2023 NY State Section XI Offensive Player of the Year
- Has tallied 19 goals and 10 assists in her high school career
WHY ILLINOIS: "I immediately knew Illinois was the right choice the moment I first got on campus. The competitive environment and excellent team culture was everything I was looking for, and the excellent athletic and academic facilities are incredible. At Illinois, I know that I will be able to develop into the best version of myself as I continue following God's plan for me in my future as an Illini! I can't wait to join the famILLy!"
RYLEIGH WOOD | FORWARD | WYLIE, TX | WYLIE EAST HIGH SCHOOL | FC DALLAS
ABOUT WOOD
- Three-time first team all-district forward at Wylie East HS
- ECNL U16 Texas All-Conference First Team
- ECNL U14 National Champion
WHY ILLINOIS: "I chose the University of Illinois for various reasons. I was originally drawn to the location, similar to where I grew up in Virginia, as well as their reputation for producing exceptional engineers. However, it was during my visit I truly knew I wanted to spend my next four years here. Meeting the staff and players created an immediate sense of comfort and inclusion. The culture and environment not only between the players but the relationship between coaches and players was one other teams strive for and one I was eager to be apart of."
