Jackson, Lee, Yee Named Big Ten Players to Watch
August 3, 2026 | Soccer
NEWS
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Three Illinois soccer players, Cayla Jackson, Izzy Lee and Emma Yee were named 2026 Big Ten Soccer Players to Watch the conference announced on Monday (Aug. 3).
Jackson begins her junior season in 2026 after having a stellar sophomore campaign in Illinois. She was named to All-Big Ten Third-Team honors after leading the team in goals with seven last year, three of which were game winners, and a team-high 17 points. She fired a career-high 30 shots last season and led all forwards with a shot percentage of .233. The Clermont, Fla. native started in all 21 matches last season and has her sights set on new career high marks across the board this season.
Lee is slated to start her fifth season in 2026 after a record-breaking season in 2025. She set the new single season saves school record with 123 made last season and she's the program's career saves percentage leader overall (.830) and in Big Ten play as well (.810). In the Big Ten Tournament match against Ohio State on Oct. 30, she made 11 saves which is a new career high in a single match for her and posted her 10th shutout of the season. Her 10 shutouts are the fourth-most in school history for a single season. The Second-Team All-Big Ten keeper led the conference in saves per game (5.86) at the conclusion of the regular season and is ready to take another step this season.
Yee will start her junior season in 2026 for Illinois. She scored six goals and recorded one assist to score 13 points last season which was the second most on the team. The Richmond, British Columbia native recorded her first career brace against Valparaiso on Sept. 7 and netted two game winners on the season as well. First, against DePaul on Aug. 28 and the second came on Sept. 25 to upset No. 18 Penn State in a 4-3 thriller at Demirjian Park.
In addition to these three players being honored, the Big Ten Preseason Poll was released as well with Illinois slotted inside the top-10 at No. 9.
2026 Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Michigan State
2. UCLA
3. Washington
4. Wisconsin
5. Ohio State
6. Penn State
7. USC
8. Northwestern
9. Illinois
10. Iowa
11. Michigan
12. Nebraska
13. Purdue
14. Minnesota
15. Rutgers
16. Indiana
17. Maryland
18. Oregon
