Former Penn State women’s soccer standout Rowan Lapi joined the Northwestern women’s soccer staff as an assistant coach, the Wildcats announced on Thursday.

Before coming to Happy Valley as a grad transfer, Lapi played four seasons with Northwestern. The Reinholds, Pennsylvania, native made 52 starts in 58 games played, tallying nine goals, four assists, and four game-winning goals, during her four years in Evanston.

While at Penn State, Lapi played a pivotal role in the 2024 season’s run to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. Playing mainly in the holding midfielder role, she scored four times and added an assist while controlling the game in the center of the pitch.

After graduating from Penn State, she joined KIF Obrebro from the Elitettan, or the second division of women’s soccer in Sweden. While she is still under contract with the professional club, Lapi suffered a season-ending injury and decided to help her former college team during the rehab period.

“Rowan was one of our captains for one of the most successful women’s soccer teams we’ve had at Northwestern,” Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan said. “She knows our program and the University intimately, and we are excited to have her back.