Lorain County Leviathan starting women's soccer team

The Lorain County Leviathan are expanding. The professional soccer franchise is establishing a women's team that will start play in 2027. "From the beginning, our mission has been bigger than one team. We want to make Lorain County a destination for soccer, create opportunities for athletes and give this community something it can truly call its own," Andrew McDonnell, owner of the Leviathan and coach of the Lorain County Community College men's team, said in the news release. "We have seen what can happen when you bring talented players, a committed ownership group and an enthusiastic community together. Launching our women's team is a natural next step. "There are outstanding female soccer players coming out of colleges across the country, and there are graduates who still have plenty of soccer left in them. We want to give those athletes a place to compete, showcase their talent and be part of something bigger. We believe Lorain County can become a destination for women's soccer just as we are working to establish it on the men's side." The Leviathan men's team played its first season this year as a member of the USL League Two. The women's program will focus on attracting elite collegiate talent, including players looking to compete during the summer months and former college players who want to continue in competitive soccer. The Leviathan intend to create an environment in which that second group can remain connected to the game, compete alongside emerging talent and continue testing themselves against quality opponents. The program will also seek players who want to play professionally and are looking for additional opportunities as they pursue that goal. The men's team went 6-5-1 in its debut season and had more than 11,000 fans across the six home matches. The women will join the men in playing at ForeFront Field in Avon, home of the Lake Erie Crushers. "We believe Lorain County has the foundation to become a true soccer community," co-owner Adam Stalnaker said. "The success of the men's team has shown us what is possible when you combine local support, ambitious leadership and a great matchday experience. We are excited to bring that same energy to women's soccer. "This is about building something sustainable, creating opportunities for athletes and giving the community another team to rally around for years to come." Part of the goal is to create a thriving soccer community throughout Lorain County. The ownership group is committed to exploring partnerships that extend beyond matchdays, including opportunities to engage young female athletes, connect with local soccer organizations and create additional visibility for women's soccer throughout the region. Details regarding the team's identity, coaching staff, player recruitment, schedule and community initiatives will be announced in the coming months. The organization also plans to announce a dedicated, Lorain County-focused initiative designed to grow participation and engagement in women's soccer throughout the area. Contact Scott Petrak at (440) 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @scottpetrak on X.