Brown University announces signing of 10 new Bears ahead of 2026 season

Messing Family Head Coach for Brown Varsity Women’s Soccer Kia McNeill has announced the addition of 10 student-athletes to the Bears that will join the program in the fall.

The class of 2030 includes Charlie Banbury, Danielle Bobowski, Maja Cénanovic, Sydney Dunn, Taylor Green, Madison Malek, Bianca Putanec, Georgia Steinbach, Chloe Shin, and Anya Tansil.

“I’m excited to welcome the Class of 2030 to Brown Women’s Soccer,” McNeill said. “This is one of the larger classes we’ve brought in recent years, and it’s a group with a lot of talent, versatility, leadership, and competitive edge that will complement the strong foundation we’ve built within our program. We recruit players for who they are, but also for who they can become. Not only is this class talented, but they have high ceilings for who they can become on and off the field. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to coach, mentor, and help them reach their full potential at the next level. Another thing that makes this class especially exciting is the reach of where they come from. Players joining us from Canada, California, Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Hawaii speak to both Brown’s global reach and the strength of our program’s reputation to bring in elite players from top clubs. We take great pride in bringing in student-athletes from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who will contribute to our team’s culture and success and enrich the Brown community as a whole. We had a strong spring season, and I believe this class is the perfect addition as we continue building toward championships.”

Scroll to find an in-depth look at each new Bear below.

Charlie Banbury

5-11 | Goalkeeper | Montreal, Québec, Canada | Milton Academy | South Shore Select ECNL

Planned Concentration: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown because it gives me the balance between athletics and academics. The level of soccer is really competitive, led by a great coaching staff, and the team is close-knit and welcoming. The open curriculum offers a world-class education with the flexibility to explore different interests, so I know I’ll be challenged just as much in the classroom as I am on the field.”

Danielle Bobowski

5-9 | Defender | Clarkston, Mich. | Flint Powers Catholic High School | Michigan Hawks ECNL

Danielle Bobowski was a three-sport athlete at Flint Powers Catholic High School, lettering in soccer and basketball, while also competing on the track. Bobowsky was named Academic All-League and All-State in soccer and basketball, while being a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteered at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Oaks at Woodfield, HeartBeat of Greater Flint, and Holy Family Outreach Center. As a member of the Michigan Hawks ECNL, she received First Team All-Midwest honors en route to winning a 2025 Midwest League Championship as the Hawks advanced to the Elite 8. Bobowski was selected to the Hawks All-Star Team and the 2024 Super Cup Team.

Planned Concentration: Psychology.

Why Brown? “Brown University is the place I want to spend my four years of college at because I can truly see myself growing as a human being all around. Not only in the classroom, but on the soccer field, I can see the endless opportunities that are laid out in front of me. Brown will push me to be the best version of myself, take me to the highest level, and help me to reach my goals of playing professional soccer.”

Maja Cénanovic

5-8 | Midfielder | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Ursula Franklin Academy | Woodbridge SC

Planned Concentration: Health and Human Biology.

Why Brown? “In addition to Brown’s incredible academic record and successful women’s soccer team, the amount of support systems that the student-athletes receive stood out to me when I visited campus. Students are proud to wear their Brown attire on campus, and are part of an encouraging community that I want to contribute to.”

Sydney Dunn

5-0 | Midfield | Coronado, Calif. | Coronado High School | San Diego Surf ECNL

Sydney Dunn played soccer and lacrosse at Coronado High School, earning First Team CIF All-League and Offensive Most Valuable Player for soccer, CIF League Player of the Year, and First Team All-Conference and MVP as a midfield/draw specialist for lacrosse. She received the Commendation English Award and a top 5% medallion in mathematics and science. Dunn played for Del Mar Sharks ECNL, Legends San Diego ECNL, and, most recently, San Diego Surf ECNL. Dunn earned a U.S. Women’s National Team ID invite for soccer and was a U-19 Team USA lacrosse player. Sydney plans to be a dual-sport athlete at Brown playing both soccer and lacrosse.

Planned Concentration: Finance.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown because it allows me to pursue both academics and athletics at the highest level without compromise. I was also drawn to the Open Curriculum because it allows me to explore different interests and shape my academic path. Additionally, the coaches and the team created an environment that felt genuine, supportive, and competitive, where I knew I would be happy.”

Taylor Green

5-11 | Forward | New Brunswick, N.J. | The Wardlaw + Hartridge School | FC Copa RL

Taylor Green was a member of the soccer and track and field teams at The Wardlaw + Hartridge School. Green was named All-New Jersey State in 2025 after receiving 2024 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Green was named First Team All-County in 2024 and 2025, and a three-time Greater Middlesex County All-Division (2022-24). A four-year member of the Honor Roll, she played with FC Copa RL and was named to the 2024 ECNL Regional League Player to Watch List.

Planned Concentration: Psychology.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown because of the outstanding academics and the strong culture on the team. The balance between high-level athletics and rigorous academics really stood out to me. I’m excited about the opportunity to challenge myself in the classroom while also competing in a supportive and competitive team environment. The program’s emphasis on teamwork, growth, and accountability aligns with my values.”

Madison Malek

5-5 | Defender | Byron Center, Mich. | Byron Center High School | Midwest United GA

Madison Malek was a four-year soccer player for Byron Center High, and also played two seasons of basketball. She was ECNL Second Team All-Midwest twice (2022-23 and 2024-25). Malek was a captain of Midwest United GA.

Planned Concentration: Biology.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown for its truly unique academic and athletic excellence. I also chose Brown because of the community I have seen on the campus.”

Bianca Putanec

5-4 | Goalkeeper | Atherton, Calif. | Menlo School | MVLA ECNL

Bianca Putanec played for Menlo School and Mountain View Los Altos ECNL. She was named the two-time All-League Goalkeeper of the Year and received all-league in all four seasons. Putanec led Menlo School to back-to-back CSS D3 (junior) and D4 (senior) titles, and consecutive California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state semifinals. Putanec was named the winner of the Writing Awards Silver Key for poetry and also earned NESPA recognition as a member of Menlo School’s newspaper team, which received the grant for an EcoTourism Trip to Costa Rica. She won the 2024 NP Conference Championship and was crowned the 2025 ECNL Conference Champion for MVLA.

Planned Concentration: International Relations and Public Affairs.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown for the opportunity to be able to pursue all of my academic interests without fear of being too diverse in passions and failing to meet requirements in my university journey.”

Georgia Steinbach

5-6 | Midfielder | Chico, Calif. | IMG Academy GA

Georgia Steinbach played for IMG Academy and was the U17 GA Most Valuable Player. Steinbach was a two-time GA National Talent ID and GA Southeast Talent ID, 2024 GA National Semifinalist and 2025 GA National Quarterfinalist. In the classroom, Steinbach was a three-year member of the Honor Roll and National Honor Society.

Planned Concentration: Pre-Med.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown because of the competitive soccer environment that can help me reach all my sports goals and the competitive academics that will help me in all aspects of life.”

Chloe Shin

5-11 | Defender | Honolulu, Hawaii | Iolani School | Hawaii Rush

Chloe Shin played soccer and ran track for ‘Iolani School in Honolulu. She was named ILH Honorable Mention, three-time Hawai’i State Cup Champions, 2023 USCS National Cup XXII Champions, and 2025 Surf Cup Best of the Best Champions. In the classroom, Shin was a four-year member of the Honor Roll, a three-time member of the Headmasters List, and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She played club soccer with the Hawaii Rush.

Planned Concentration: Business Economics.

Why Brown? “I chose Brown because it provided the best pairing of a world-class education and soccer team.”

Anya Tansil

5-8 | Forward | Manchester, Conn. | East Catholic High School | Scorpions ECNL

Anya Tansil played soccer and ran track for East Catholic High School in Manchester, Conn., finishing as East Catholic’s all-time leading goal scorer in a single season for both men’s and women’s soccer after collecting 39 goals in 2025. Tansil was named a 2025 United Soccer Coaches High School All-American and was a three-time CCC All-Conference and All-State. Additionally, she was a 2022 Class S Champion. Tansil played club soccer with Scorpions ECNL, earning the 2023-24 New England Player of the Year and All-American. She was a two-time New England First Team All-Conference selection.

Planned Concentration: Economics.

Why Brown? “I wanted a school that would challenge me both athletically and academically while allowing me to discover and find who I want to be and what I want to do through the open curriculum.”