BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's soccer team has signed a trio of Northwest players to open the 2025 recruiting class.

 

WWU head coach Travis Connell announced the signing of goalkeeper Lillian Cobos, goalkeeper Ellie McGowan and attacking midfielder Triya Mitchell to open the newcomer class set to debut for the Vikings next fall in 2025.

 

"Today, we welcome not just athletes, but future leaders who will elevate our program and community," said Connell.

 

Here is a look WWU's three early signees, with more players expected to join the recruiting class that will debut on the field during the fall 2025 season.

 

 

Cobos is a 5-8 goalkeeper that led Pullman High School to the state playoffs during her senior season…four-year starter at PHS and a Greater Spokane League All-Conference selection as a junior and senior…member of the Surf Select National Team…served as team captain at PHS as a senior…also played basketball early in prep career…four-year GSL Academic All-League selection…father rank collegiate cross country at Duke University.

 

Connell on Cobos:

"Lillian is going to help our team in so many ways.  She is a great athlete and an excellent shot stopper.  Her coachability and drive mean that her best soccer is still ahead of her.  She is a wonderful person that has the potential to grow into a leadership role during her career."

 

Cobos on joining the WWU program:

"I chose WWU because of the welcoming community and the opportunity to be competitive and grow as a person and player every day."

 

McGowan is a 6-0 goalkeeper out of Post Falls High School and a member of the Crossfire Premier club program…has been selected as the Defensive MVP for her high school team twice in her career…had a 75% save rate during her senior season…served as team captain her junior and senior year at Post Falls High School…also played basketball and rank track during prep career…three-year academic honor roll award winner…parents both played college basketball, with father at Gonzaga and Montana State, and mother at Idaho State.

 

Connell on McGowan:

"Ellie is the consummate team player. She has an amazing ability to make the players around her better. Her height and length make her an imposing figure in the goal with a huge upside. I can't wait to see the impact she will make on our program."

 

McGowan on joining the WWU program:

"When I first began my collegiate recruitment process, I always told people that I would just know when it was meant to be at a school. The second I met the team and staff, I knew. I am so lucky and grateful to be part of this program."

 

Mitchell is an attacking midfielder and striker that grew up in Bellingham and is a product of Sehome High School…longtime member of the WFC Rangers club program…team captain during prep career and with the Rangers…helped lead Sehome to the state tournament during senior season…All-Northwest Conference selection as a senior…earned acclaim from Whatcom Preps as a Player of the Week and a top 20 goal scorer…also played lacrosse, basketball, track & field, ice hockey, dance and unified soccer during high school career…member of the National Honor Society.

 

Connell on Mitchell:

"Triya is a dynamic attacking player that can create goal scoring chances for herself and her teammates. Her blend of speed and power make her a matchup problem for every team she plays against. She continues to add new elements to her game each year, so we are looking forward to seeing her game progress at the college level."

 

Mitchell on joining the WWU program:

"Bellingham has always been my home and Western is the heart of it, so I knew it is where I belong."

 

The Western Washington University women's soccer program has risen to the top of the Division II ranks, appearing in the NCAA Championships in 10 of the last 11 seasons and winning a pair of national championships in 2016 and 2022. WWU has advanced to the NCAA II Final Four in five of the last 10 seasons and played for the West Region championship in nine of the last 11 seasons (seven consecutive from 2015-22). The Vikings won the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship with a 2-1 win over No. 1 nationally-ranked West Chester, played for the 2019 national title and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2016 with an undefeated 24-0-1 record, beating three-time defending national champion Grand Valley State 3-2 in the title game in Kansas City, Missouri. The program has claimed nine of the last 13 Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season titles (2024 Champions) and won five of the last eight GNAC Tournament titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022). Head coach Travis Connell is in his 22nd season leading the program in 2024 (29th overall at WWU) and has led the Vikings to 12 trips to the NCAA Championships and 19 consecutive winning seasons.