Local products to make home debut for inaugural Toledo Villa FC women’s team May 31

Toledo Villa FC is hosting its first-ever women’s home opener against AFC Ann Arbor at 7:15 p.m. on May 31 at the University of Toledo’s Paul Hotmer Field. The team opens their regular season May 18 in Kalamazoo.

Among the roster are four Clay High School graduates, along with an Eastwood graduate.

They include:

• Molly Anderson, a 2022 Clay graduate who competed at Lourdes University.
• Rylee Clark, a 2020 Clay graduate who initially competed at Wright State before transferring to BGSU.
• Bella Mabry, a 2021 Clay graduate who competed at Trine University.
• Kaylynn Simon, a 2022 Eastwood graduate who competed for the University of Findlay.
• Deighton Wamer, a 2022 Clay graduate who competed for Youngstown State.

Many other local players from Anthony Wayne, Perrysburg, Northview, Southview, Evergreen, Notre Dame Academy and Pettisville will also compete for Toledo Villa FC.

“This event is a testament to the club’s commitment to fostering women’s sports and promises to be an exhilarating experience for fans,” Justin Guy, Toledo Villa FC general manager, said. “With local dignitaries present, including the Toledo mayor, this match is a significant milestone for our community.”

The team will be coached by Ella Van Der Meulen, and she is assisted by Ryan Creech, Greg Acuna and Lori Williams.

Toledo Villa FC announced in November that the team is joining the United Soccer League beginning with this 2025 season. The club joined USL League Two in 2021 and USL Youth and Academy earlier in 2024.

The club was formed in 2017 with “a vision to create a high quality on-field product, develop players who are committed to upholding the traditions of the game, inspire young athletes for the future, and become a model business that positively impacts the community.”

“The USL W League is the nation's premier pre-professional women's soccer league,” Aaron Swiggum, Toledo Villa FC owner, said in November. “We are ecstatic to provide this opportunity to the incredibly talented women's soccer community in the Toledo area. Showcasing our local talent will be a great experience for our community, and more importantly, will provide our local youth with an experience to see role models in the sport they love.”

Toledo Villa FC will play its home matches at Paul Hotmer Stadium as a member of the Great Lakes Division.

“Toledo Villa FC has already shown great commitment to the development of soccer in the Toledo area, so we’re excited to see the club expand into the W League,” Joel Nash, SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties, said in November. “The club has shown its competitiveness and professionalism over the years, and now with a W League team, it will provide the opportunity to develop the women’s game at a high level.”

Meet the team

Fans can interact with the Toledo Villa FC men’s and women’s teams on May 30 at Inside the Five Fieldhouse’s Toledo location at 6 p.m. Both the players and coaching staffs will be in attendance.

Tickets for the event are $35 general admission and $25 for kids 12 and under.  Tickets include a meal and two drinks (soft drinks for kids). 

Also included is free entry to Toledo Villa FC’s triple header on May 31 at Paul Hotmer Field.  Tickets can be purchased by visiting here. 

Attendees can get pictures and autographs from players and coaches. There will be live music and games to play, as well as prizes including free tickets, private lessons and more.

2025 Toledo Villa FC roster