Women's soccer is coming to Wayne State University.
And Wayne State University women's soccer coach Doug Steinard said he feels “everything” right now.
“Excited, nervous, worried, optimistic, pessimistic. Depends on the day," said Steinard, who will lead the Warriors in their inaugural season this fall. “[We’re] going into an unknown of a good conference with a bunch of kids that don't know each other yet.”
Wayne State announced in July 2025 it would be adding women’s soccer to help the university comply with Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. The Warriors will make their debut with a nonconference matchup against Northwood University.
For Wayne State University Athletic Director Erika Wallace, the decision to add women's soccer was about more than just creating more opportunities for student-athletes. Wallace said the growth builds excitement around Wayne State University as a whole.
“We believe it will strengthen school pride and enhance the game-day experience right in the heart of Midtown Detroit,” Wallace said.
The team’s first home game is Sept. 4 against Ohio Dominican, and it begins Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Sept. 11 at Ferris State. Home games will be played at the WSU Soccer Complex. Ticket prices range from $5.15 to $10.30 for single-game tickets. Season ticket prices range from $30.90 to $51.50. Tickets are available at www.etix.com/ticket/v/38806/wsu-soccer-complex.
“I think that playing on a new team is a good experience,” freshman Ellie Whalen said. “It's setting the tone for what's yet to come, and it's something not a lot of people get to do.”
Whalen said she turned down an offer from Davenport University to attend Wayne State. She said she grew up around Wayne State’s campus, “so it was always like a home.”
Reagan Brengman, a senior transfer from Northwood University, said the need for a fresh start brought her to Wayne State.
“Wayne State is a good school,” Brengman said. “I'm so thankful that I get to be a part of a brand new team and first year of everything.”
Whalen and Brengman knew Steinard prior to recruitment and said that was helpful in the process of joining a new team.
“I know he’s a really good coach and he recruits really well,” Brengman said.
Whalen played club soccer for Steinard.
“I think that he brings new perspectives to the game that I never think about,” Whalen said.
Steinard said his first focus during the process of building the team was on the freshman class, and then this past winter he focused “on the transfer portal to bring in some older players with experience.”
“I’m excited to see how each of us can make an impact on the team and bring our culture from other schools over, and build a new culture that everybody wants to come to, win the championship, win the league.” Brengman said.
Wayne State does not have a men's soccer team. Wallace said a women’s team was added because the GLIAC sponsors women’s soccer, offering home and regional rivalries.
“I hope this inaugural team establishes a culture rooted in our four standards for success: academics, competition, community, and character,” Wallace said. “Those standards define who we are, and I want this program to become a model for what Wayne State athletics represents.”
Gabriella Shaya is a 2026 Detroit Free Press Journalism Apprentice, a program that brings high school students into the Free Press newsroom to work alongside professional journalists.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wayne State women's soccer set to begin inaugural season