BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Women's Soccer head coach Jim Stone announced the signing of five student-athletes during the NCAA Division II early signing period Wednesday to join the Beaver Soccer program in the fall of 2026.
 
Kennedy Christian, Lexie Finkler, Ashlyn Kelm, Norah Lofgren and Lila Paradise have each signed institutional athletics aid agreements to attend Bemidji State and play soccer beginning in the fall of 2027.
 
Kennedy Christian – Goalkeeper – 5-8 – Waunakee, Wis. (Waunakee HS/Rockford Raptors ECNL)
Prior to BSU: Competed for the Rockford Raptors ECNL club program under head coach Frank Mateus… Three-time member of the Wisconsin 2008 Olympic Development Program State Team… Earned U16 All-Conference honors… Participated in the 2025 US Youth Soccer Midwest ODP Summer Invite… Played in the Super Cup during three consecutive spring seasons… Will compete for the Waunakee High School girls soccer program during her senior season in the spring of 2027… Member of the National Honor Society… Honor Roll student and Academic Letter recipient.
 
Personal: Daughter of Pat and Kim Christian… Born Nov. 13, 2008… Plans to major in English and Political Science and minor in Creative Writing at Bemidji State… Enjoys reading, writing and traveling.
 
Coach Stone on Kennedy: "Kennedy's athleticism and reach really impressed us when we saw her play. After coming to camp, it was clear that she had the drive and work-rate to match her talent. Her visit displayed her character & we couldn't be happier that she's a Beaver."
 
Lexie Finkler – Defense/Midfield – 5-4 – Pleasant Prairie, Wis. (Tremper HS/FC Wisconsin)
Prior to BSU: Multi-year starter for the Tremper High School girls soccer program under head coach Todd Hardy… Two-year team captain and most valuable player… Earned First Team and Second Team All-Southeast Conference honors… Letterwinner in soccer and golf for the Trojans… Competed for FC 1974 Libertyville from 2021-26 before joining FC Wisconsin… Helped her club program finish as the 2024 State Cup runner-up… Qualified for the Elite 64 Championship in 2023 and the ECNL Regional League Playoffs in 2024… Member of the National Honor Society… Student Government secretary and Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Daughter of Larry and Jenn Finkler… Born Sept. 16, 2008… Undecided on a major at Bemidji State… Enjoys spending time with friends, thrifting, pottery, snowboarding, nature and trying new activities.
 
Coach Stone on Alexandria: "I saw Lexie at an event in Kansas City, her change of pace and ability to attack on the dribble immediately impressed me. After my first phone call with her I knew she aligned with our 3 pillars and was a great fit for us. We're Super excited that she chose to be a Beaver."
 
Ashlyn Kelm – Defense/Midfield – 5-9 – Byron, Minn. (Byron HS/Byron FC)
Prior to BSU: Four-year letterwinner for the Byron High School girls soccer program under head coach Jeremy Baumbach… Three-time All-Hiawatha Valley League selection in 2023, 2025 and 2026… Two-time all-state selection, earning Second Team honors in 2025 and First Team recognition in 2026… Named to the All-Area Team in 2025 and 2026… Selected to the conference's Sportsmanship Team in 2024… Also earned two letters in basketball and one in track and field… Played club soccer for Rush Select from 2023-25 and Byron FC in 2026… Three-time Academic Letter recipient… National Honor Society member and High Honors student.
 
Personal: Daughter of Matthew and Jessica Kelm… Born Nov. 24, 2008… Plans to major in Nursing at Bemidji State… Mother, Jessica, played collegiate soccer at North Dakota State, while father, Matthew, played collegiate football at NDSU… Enjoys music, playing piano, ukulele and guitar, hiking, traveling and soccer.
 
Coach Stone on Ashlyn: "Ashlyn first caught my eye on video. She has an incredible combination of IQ, skill & athleticism. In addition, she's good in the air which is critical in our league. One of her greatest strengths is her versality. We feel confident we got a good one."
 
Norah Lofgren – Midfield – 5-4 – New Richmond, Wis. (New Richmond HS/St. Croix Soccer Club)
Prior to BSU: Competed for the New Richmond High School girls soccer program… Played club soccer for St. Croix Soccer Club under head coach Jesse Campos… Helped St. Croix capture three Minnesota State Cup championships… Earned an Academic Letter and Academic Pin.
 
Personal: Daughter of Jesse and Tonya Lofgren… Born March 5, 2009… Plans to major in Exercise Science at Bemidji State… Enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.
 
Coach Stone on Norah: "Our first commit for 2027, Norah has a love for the game that was evident from the beginning of our recruiting process. She consumes the game which allows her to continuously grow & develop. She has a great engine, can cover ground and defends as well as she attacks. Your classic box to box mid that every coach wants on their roster."
 
Lila Paradise – Defense – 5-9 – White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake Area HS/Manitou FC)
Prior to BSU: Three-year letterwinner for the White Bear Lake Area High School girls soccer program under head coaches John Dierkhising and Dave Ashley… Helped the Bears capture the 2024 Suburban East Conference championship… Served as a team captain in 2026… Played her entire club career with Manitou Futbol Club under coaches Tobias Thorsell and Edi Buro… Competed with Manitou FC in the Twin Cities Soccer Leagues Regional League and Women's Premier Soccer League from 2022-26… National Honor Society member… "A" Honor Roll student, Academic Letter recipient, Advanced Placement Scholar and Principal's Award recipient.
 
Personal: Daughter of Chris and Emily Paradise… Born April 6, 2009… Plans to major in Nursing at Bemidji State… Father, Chris, played NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Denver, while uncle, Dave, played Division I hockey at St. Cloud State University.
 
Coach Stone on Lila: "Lila is a lockdown defender who can play multiple spots including center back, outside back, defensive mid or even an eight. Lila has a great touch and even better understanding and feel for the game. In addition, her personality and values were a fit from day one. We couldn't be more excited that she's a Beaver."
 
For more information on the Bemidji State soccer program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaverSoccer), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversSoccer).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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