Arizona State Soccer Reloads with Trio of Transfers for 2026 Season
TEMPE - Arizona State women’s soccer is tapping into the transfer portal once again, and head coach Graham Winkworth may have struck gold. Three new additions - Kennedy Zorn, Emily Ennis, and Djem Koppelaar - are set to join the Sun Devils for the 2026 season as mid-year enrollees, bringing a blend of high-level experience, international pedigree, and positional versatility to Tempe. The trio will arrive alongside incoming freshman Amy Medley, forming a promising winter class that could make an immediate impact.
Let’s break down what each new Sun Devil brings to the pitch.
Kennedy Zorn: A Homegrown Keeper Returns
For Kennedy Zorn, this move is a homecoming. The Peoria, Arizona native and Sunrise Mountain High School product heads back to the desert after a freshman campaign at Michigan State, where she flashed serious potential between the posts.
In five appearances for the Spartans, Zorn posted an impressive 0.44 goals against average and an .833 save percentage. She notched a pair of full-match clean sheets against Dayton and Milwaukee and didn’t concede in a road appearance at Xavier.
She even earned the start in Michigan State’s Big Ten opener at Rutgers - a clear sign the coaching staff trusted her in big moments.
Before her college career, Zorn was already turning heads. She played club soccer with SC del Sol in Phoenix and was ranked a four-star prospect and the No. 39 overall player nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.
Her résumé includes nine U.S. Soccer youth camps and two CONCACAF championships at the U-15 and U-17 levels.
She also helped the U.S. win the prestigious Montaigu Cup in 2023.
Winkworth has had Zorn on his radar for a while and didn’t hide his excitement about finally bringing her to Tempe.
“We recruited Kennedy the first time around and were delighted that she’s decided to come home,” Winkworth said. “With Pauli graduating, we knew it would be tough to find someone with similar shot-stopping and distribution qualities. KK has shown those skills at both the club and international level.”
Zorn’s arrival gives ASU a goalkeeper who not only has elite youth experience but also has already proven she can compete at the Power Five level. With Pauli’s departure, the timing couldn’t be better.
Emily Ennis: Veteran Midfield Presence with Versatility
Emily “Emmie” Ennis is bringing over 3,000 minutes of Division I experience to Tempe, and that kind of mileage matters. The 5-foot-6 midfielder from Burlingame, California, spent the last three seasons at Saint Mary’s, where she played in 47 matches and tallied six assists and three goals - two of which were game-winners in 2025 against San Jose State and Pepperdine.
Ennis isn’t just experienced - she’s battle-tested. She captained Saint Mary’s this past season and played a major role in their midfield engine. Her ability to slot in as both a central midfielder and a wingback adds flexibility to ASU’s tactical setup.
Winkworth sees her as a player who can lead by example.
“She has tons of ability and was a captain on a very successful team,” he said. “She’ll be a senior, and I have no doubt her experience will really help the younger players we have in the group.”
Before college, Ennis was a standout at St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco, where she earned SFIAC Athlete of the Year honors and was named All-WCAL, All-City, and team MVP.
On the club circuit, she played with Bay Area and San Diego Surf, reaching a national championship with her 2004 team. She’s also no stranger to the U.S.
Youth National Team scene, having attended U-14 through U-16 camps, and she joined the SF Glens in the USLW during their inaugural 2023 campaign.
Ennis brings leadership, versatility, and a high soccer IQ - the kind of traits that don’t show up on stat sheets but win games.
Djem Koppelaar: Dutch Defender with International Pedigree
At 5-foot-9, Djem Koppelaar brings size and composure to ASU’s back line. The Dutch defender spent her freshman season at North Carolina, where she saw limited action - two appearances against non-conference opponents - but trained in one of the most competitive environments in college soccer.
Koppelaar’s roots trace back to Sliedrecht, South Holland, where she attended Sint-Joris College and played for PSV Eindhoven. While with PSV, she helped the club capture a first-division championship, and her performances earned her a spot on the Netherlands U-16 National Team.
Winkworth sees her as a natural fit for the Sun Devils' style of play.
“Djem is another great addition to our back line,” he said. “She’s equally comfortable centrally or in wide areas, shows excellent quality in possession, and really suits our system. Her youth national team experience will really help us.”
Koppelaar’s arrival gives ASU a defender who’s played at a high level in Europe and has the technical skillset to thrive in a possession-based system. She follows in the footsteps of fellow Dutch defender Lieske Carleer, who made the jump from ASU to the senior Netherlands national team.
What This Means for ASU
This transfer class isn’t just about filling gaps - it’s about raising the bar. Zorn brings elite shot-stopping and international experience to a position of need.
Ennis adds leadership and depth to the midfield. Koppelaar injects technical quality and versatility into the back line.
With these three joining early and integrating ahead of the 2026 season, ASU is giving itself a head start. And with a strong freshman class also on the way, the Sun Devils are building a roster that blends youth, experience, and international pedigree - a formula that could pay dividends in the Pac-12 and beyond.