Ducks Sign Five, Including Top-50 Midfielder - University of Oregon Athletics

EUGENE, Ore. – A top-50 national standout and players with international experience highlight the five-person 2027 Oregon soccer recruiting class, announced Thursday by coach Tracy Joyner. The Ducks also signed the younger siblings of two players on the current roster.

Midfielder Piper Jude, who was born in Eugene, is the No. 31 player nationally according to Prep Soccer.

She will be joined by forward Viktoria Brodar, who has played for Croatia's Youth National teams. Also in the 2027 class are Forward/midfielder Elihanna Gallegos, a member of Mexico's Youth National teams, and defender Makeli Leonard, who has played for Samoa's Youth National teams.

Leonard is the younger sister of current Duck freshman Makea Leonard. Another signee, goalkeeper Rowan Willson, is the younger sibling of junior Gray Willson.

"We are thrilled to announce our 2027 class," said Joyner. "We have a versatile, talented and competitive group of players that we know will make an impact. We have high expectations of these players and are confident they will add depth to our current roster and come into the fall season with something to prove."

Viktoria Brodar, 5-10, Forward, Toronto, Ontario
Holy Trinity Secondary School | Clubs: Juventus Academy Toronto/Rush Canada

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Played on several national youth teams for Croatia including a recent call-up to that country's U19 team … Previously competed in Euro qualifying matches for Croatia's U16 and U17 teams.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Ranked No. 13 in the 2027 Canadian class by First Touch Football (FTF) Canada … Was the high school athlete of the year and team captain at Holy Trinity Secondary School … One of the top players in club ball … Selected for the FTF Top 60, an invite-only youth soccer showcase and combine series in Canada … At the combine, was named to the FTF Top 15 and ranked the No. 5 wing … Also invited to three Toronto combines.

PERSONAL
Born in Mississauga, Ontario … Parents are Sandy and Stephan Brodar … Older sister Sofia plays soccer at Holy Cross College in Indiana … Younger brother Niko signed a professional contract with Modena in Italy and is on the Canadian U16 National Team.

Brodar on Oregon
"I have always known of the Ducks and the excitement for sports at the University of Oregon, but what impressed me the most was the feeling I had when I was there. I loved the coaches' energy from the first time I connected with them and I could really see myself fitting in with the team. I also loved the business program."

Coach Joyner on Viktoria Brodar
"Viktoria is a talented goal scorer with an international playing background. Her maturity and composure will help us in the attack."

Elihanna Gallegos, 5-1, Forward/Midfielder, Madera, Calif.
Matilda Torres High School | Club: Stanislaus Surf

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Member of the U15 and U16 Mexican National Teams.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Twice named the Offensive MVP of the North Yosemite League for Matilda Torres High School … Three-time all-league first team … Led Matilda Torres to three league titles and one CIF Central Section Division V championship … In her first three seasons in high school, had 42 goals, 33 assists and 117 points … Had 25 goals and 17 assists as a freshman (2024) and 12 goals and 13 assists as a junior (2026) … Ranked in the CIF Central Section top-20 in assists … Three hat tricks as a freshman … Team captain and three-time team MVP … Played on the same club team, Stanislaus Surf, as current Duck freshman Kylie Farmer … ODP 2009 Girl's pool/team selection 2020-23 … 2009 Girl's pool/team PDP training 2019-25 … Three-time honor roll member.

PERSONAL
Born in Madera, Calif. … Parents are Jeanette and Eliseo Gallegos.

Gallegos on Oregon
"I am excited about being part of a team with players who are just as committed as I am. I also like the energy and atmosphere around Oregon sports and the pride people have in their school. When I thought about where I wanted to play soccer and spend my college years, Oregon felt like the right place. It felt like a place where I could take the next step in soccer and continue doing what I love."

Coach Joyner on Elihanna Gallegos
"Elihanna is a dynamic, tough, crafty midfielder who's great off the dribble and in combination play."

Piper Jude, 5-5, Midfielder, Brier, Wash.
Bothell High School | Clubs: Seattle United/Crossfire

HIGH SCHOOL
Ranked as the No. 31 player nationally by Prep Soccer … The All-KingCo 4A first team selection helped Bothell High School finish second in the league's Crown Division in 2025 … Had 44 career goals in her first three seasons which broke the Bothell High program record … Also had 35 career assists and 123 career points … Three-time team offensive MVP and team captain … Three-year captain of her club team, Seattle United, and led the program in scoring in both 2024 and 2025 … Seattle United was the second division runner-up at the 2024 Surf Cup … Led her other club team, Crossfire, to the 2026 Zip Fizz championship … 2025 ECNL Kansas City Showcase participant … National Honor Society member … Earned Bothell's outstanding scholastic award twice.

PERSONAL
Born in Eugene, Ore. … Parents are Ashley and Adam Jude who both attended Oregon.

Jude on Oregon
"The coaching staff's drive and ambitions, as well as their competitive philosophy, resonated with me. I know that the program is going to thrive under their leadership and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of that growth. The University of Oregon offers a beautiful campus, strong academics paired with a wide variety of educational opportunities, and a really strong sense of community and culture. Being born in Eugene and growing up with stories of my parents' time at the university, the UO has been synonymous with the ideal college experience since childhood, and I have always felt connected to the school and city."

Coach Joyner on Piper Jude
"Piper is a consistent, composed midfielder who has excellent vision and distribution."

Makeli Leonard, 5-8, Defender, Santa Clarita, Calif.
Saugus High School | Club: LAFC

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Member of two Samoan Youth National teams … First played with the U16 team and then was on the U17 team that played at the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Morocco.

HIGH SCHOOL
All-district first team selection helped lead Saugus High School to the Foothill League championship in 2025 and 2026 … Three-time All-Foothill League selection … Named the team's defensive player of the year three times … Team captain … Club team LAFC won the 2024 Surf Cup … Member of the U14, U15 and U16 ODP traveling teams … Also played flag football for Saugus High and had six interceptions in a 2026 game against Golden Valley … National Honor Society member.

PERSONAL
Born in Santa Clarita, Calif. … Parents are Wendy and Malosi Leonard … Sister Makea is a freshman on the 2026 Oregon team … Comes from an athletic family … In addition to her sister, her father Malosi played football at Arizona and mother Wendy played volleyball at College of the Canyons … An uncle, Matt Leonard, played football at Stanford and her grandfather Pisa Finai played both football and basketball at BYU.

Leonard on Oregon
"I wanted to play at a school with big-time soccer, but one that also has a big-time sports atmosphere overall. I love playing hard with my teammates, and then I also love cheering on other teams with my friends. Oregon is at the top of everyone's list for facilities, athletics and of course the best swag in the world! It has the best of everything I wanted. Coach Tracy (Joyner) is a mom who coaches a Big Ten soccer program, and absolutely bosses both. I think it helps a ton that she was a top player too."

Coach Joyner on Makeli Leonard
"Makeli is a consistent and versatile defender and midfielder. She just competed in the U17 World Cup with Samoa which adds to her pedigree and experience playing at the highest level."

Rowan Willson, 5-11, Goalkeeper, Rocklin, Calif.
Del Oro High School | Club: San Juan

HIGH SCHOOL
Third team All-American and a three-time defensive player of the year in the Sierra Foothill League … Helped lead Del Oro High School to four CIF section championships and three appearances in the state semifinals … Also named to the California all-state team … In addition to soccer, played flag football for Del Oro … Club team, San Juan SC, was ranked as high as No. 3 nationally … Competed against NWSL development programs, including the Boston Legacy, Orlando Pride and KC Current II, as well as the U.S. U18 National Team … Selected to play in the 2024 Continental Tire ECNL National Selection All-Star Games … Was the goalkeeper for the East team that played against current Ducks Miya Alamares, Giselle Fuentes Gonzalez and Paige Nakada on the West squad.

PERSONAL
Born in Rocklin, Calif. … Parents are Susan and Peter Willson … Sister, Gray, is currently a junior goalkeeper on the 2026 Oregon team … Father played football at Sacramento State … One grandfather, Dan Willson, played football at SMU while her other grandfather, Richard Shelton, was on the rodeo team at Cal Poly.

Willson on Oregon
"The coaching staff has shown the ability to turn the program around, and I would like to be a part of taking Oregon to the top of the conference. Excellent facilities and the strength of the conference played into my decision as well. I've watched the Ducks play and their commitment to defense and their physical style of play matches up with the way that I play goalkeeper."

Coach Joyner on Rowan Willson
"Rowan is a highly touted goalkeeper. She's vocal, tough, and has a great presence."

University of Oregon Athletics

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