WVU Women’s Soccer will be without one of its top returning offensive players this season, as head coach Nikki Izzo Brown confirmed Wednesday that Maddie Levy is sidelined with an ACL injury. Read more: WVU Women’s Soccer loses Maddie Levy for 2026 season after ACL injury.
Levy, who emerged as one of the Mountaineers’ top offensive contributors during the 2025 season, will miss the 2026 campaign as she recovers from the injury.
“We also lost Maddie Levy, who was a Herman Trophy watch list [player] too,” Izzo-Brown said. “So we’ve taken some attacking hits to graduation and injury.”
A surprising revelation
Levy’s injury was mainly kept under wraps throughout the offseason. Izzo-Brown acknowleded that the program had “kept it a secret for as long as we could” before confirming the news Wednesday.
The loss of Levy comes as West Virginia is already facing significant changes to its offensive attack entering the 2026 season.
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The Mountaineers lost their leading goal scorer Taylor White, who was selected by Louisville in the NWSL, while Ajanae Respass also departs from the forward line. Roxanne Villain, meanwhile, is now playing professionally in France.
Levy’s absence adds another significant piece to replace for Izzo-Brown and the Mountaineers.
Who steps up?
West Virginia has lost several key offensive pieces. However, Izzo-Brown believes the Mountaineers have players ready to take on expanded roles.
Luckily, Jordan Wilson is set to return after missing last season due to injury. This gives West Virginia another experienced option in the attack.
“We feel that Jordan will be a great person to step in with experience and help us there,” Izzo-Brown said.
The Mountaineers will need others to follow suit. Now, they attempt to replace the production lost through graduation and injury.For Levy, the focus now shifts to recovery as she works her way back from the ACL injury suffered this spring.
West Virginia opens its 2026 season Thursday against Dayton. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown.
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