Emme Butera, a dynamic midfielder from Bowling Green State University, has been recognized as one of the nation’s 45 elite midfielders heading into the 2026 season according to the IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches preseason Players to Watch list.
What makes her selection stand out is that she is the sole representative from the Mid-American Conference on that national list, highlighting both her individual talent and the growing prominence of the MAC on the collegiate soccer stage.
Butera joins two other Ohio natives on the roster, underscoring the state’s increasing influence in the sport and placing her among a select group of regional players who are shaping the national conversation.
During her junior year she led the Falcons in assists and tied for fourth in scoring, earning All‑MAC First Team and Academic All‑MAC honors while consistently delivering strong performances week after week.
She logged nearly 2,000 minutes across 21 of Bowling Green’s 22 games, appearing in every match since joining the program and starting 18 times as a freshman, a testament to her durability and importance to the team.
Her first collegiate goal came against Findlay on August 22, 2024, a milestone that capped a sophomore season that also saw her named to the OSCA All‑Ohio Second Team and the 2025 CSC Academic All‑District Team, further cementing her reputation as a scholar‑athlete.
Season Opener Looms
The Falcons are set to open their campaign on August 16 at Cochrane Stadium against Robert Morris, a match that will mark Butera’s next step toward adding another chapter to her growing legacy.
Beyond the pitch, Butera’s high school roots at Lake Catholic and Willoughby South in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, provided a solid foundation that she continues to build upon at the collegiate level, and fans can expect her to remain a key figure for the Falcons in the seasons ahead.