By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech soccer team is staying busy this offseason with an eye on the upcoming campaign behind the additions of three incoming Golden Eagles to next year's club.
Tech head coach Corey Boyd and his staff announced the signings of future freshmen Audrey Ancell and Iris Cotteleer as well as junior college transfer Mayo Kawashima, who will suit up in purple and gold in the fall of 2026 for a program that is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time in 25 seasons.
"One of the things we tried to do with this class is bring in multifunctional players who are both athletic and technical as well as possess high character," Boyd said, on the team's trio of incoming talent. "We wanted players who could make an immediate impact and feel we have found that in Audrey, Iris and Mayo."
Audrey Ancell (pictured left) comes to Cookeville after a star-studded career at Green Valley High School in Henderson, Nev. where she was named a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. The Las Vegas native captured the honor consecutively from 2024-26, and despite playing primarily as a defender, Ancell still managed to accumulate a combined 16 goals and five assists throughout her final three years at Green Valley.
As far as the club circuit is concerned, Ancell was a member of the Las Vegas Heat Surf G089 ECNL.
"Audrey is a very athletic and tough defender who can play multiple positions, primarily as a center back, but also as a fullback and winger," Boyd asserted. "Audrey has pace and can step into the midfield really well and can break lines effectively with her passing ability. We look forward to adding her as a player from the West Coast with a great personality and leadership capabilities."
Iris Cotteleer (pictured right) throws on the purple and gold following a stellar showing within the international ranks in her native Netherlands. The incoming freshman midfielder plays for the club PEC Zwolle, which is currently part of the second-highest division in the Netherlands. As a member of the U16 squad, Cotteleer was part of a team that won the Regional RSS Girls Tournament, and from ages 12 to 15, she was selected each year to trial for the national team, highlighted by making the final round in 2025.
"Iris is a very technical box to box midfielder who can play center back or also as an advanced ten role," Boyd said. "She has a high footballing IQ, is tough in the tackle and a possesses a very professional mindset. Iris can cover a lot of ground and is very comfortable with forward passes and plays quick, which suits the way we want to play. She is another personality player and we look forward to bringing in her experience and character to our team."
Mayo Kawashima (pictured left) joins the Golden Eagles as a transfer from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she put together an impressive run for a Warrior team that posted a 13-3-1 record in 2025 and an appearance in the NJCAA Central District Tournament.
In her two years with the school, Kawashima was twice named to the NJCAA All-Region 11 First Team. The Osaka, Japan product posted four goals, 14 assists and 22 points in her two years with the program, punctuated by an 11-assist campaign in 2025.
"Mayo is an extremely technical midfielder who can play wingback or any midfielder role really," Boyd claimed. "She has an extremely high work rate and great experience coming from a junior college. Mayo has a professional mentality as well as high levels of endurance. We have a young squad and her age and experience will be valuable for us. We look forward to Mayo making an immediate impact with our team."
