By Henry Krueger Gonzaga University ’25
Spokane Zephyr FC revealed two new signings on Thursday, with 23-year-old center midfielder Emma Jaskaniec and 22-year-old fullback Julianne Vallerand joining the squad for its inaugural season in the USL Super League, pending league and federation approval.
Jaskaniec, who was drafted 26th overall by the Utah Royals in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Draft, spent five seasons at the University of Wisconsin. In 91 matches for the Badgers, she accumulated 37 goals and 15 assists.
Jaskaniec was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region in 2023 after helping the Badgers reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Wisconsin native’s other accolades include earning the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year award in 2022, despite missing the final four matches with a season-ending injury. Jaskaniec was also selected to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in 2019.
“Emma is an absolute Badger legend, and being named Big Ten Midfielder of the Year is a huge accomplishment. We are so happy to have her joining us in Spokane,” said Katie Harnetiaux, President of USL Spokane and co-owner of Aequus Sports. “She is a promising talent, and her selection by Utah in the second round of the NWSL draft proves it. She can pass, shoot, score and works hard to get back in defensive positions.”
“I am excited to be a part of the USL to carve a path for more players to get the opportunity to play professionally,” said Jaskaniec.
Jaskaniec is heading West to Spokane alongside Julianne Vallerand, who is coming off her fifth year at the University of West Virginia. Vallerand tallied 16 goals and six assists in 80 matches as a forward/defender for the Mountaineers earning her a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team four years in a row.
Hailing from Terrebonne, Quebec, Vallerand has played for the U-15, U-17, and U-20 Canadian Youth National teams, winning two Concacaf medals (2016 silver U-15 and 2018 bronze U-17). Vallerand competed with fellow Zephyr teammate Wayny Balata, who grew up an hour away in Montreal. She was also on the squad for the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay in 2018.
“Julianne is a gifted player who has a lot of potential to grow here with us in Spokane,” Harnetiaux said. “She has a lot of great experience playing for the Canadian Youth National program, on top of her five years at West Virginia. She has really become a player who takes defending to heart.”
“I’m excited to be a part of this new league and to contribute to a project that will influence the future of women’s soccer for the better,” said Vallerand. “We need more leagues to meet the player demand. I’m grateful to say I can be part of something that is so much bigger than myself and can’t wait to see how great it turns out!”
Zephyr will begin play in August as a member of the United Soccer League’s Super League, a new league sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation as Division One – the top of the women’s soccer pyramid in the United States. Other teams in the inaugural Super League season are Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, Fort Lauderdale United FC, Lexington FC, Tampa Bay Sun FC, and Washington, D.C., with eight more clubs joining in 2025 and beyond.
Zephyr will play its first home match Aug. 17 in ONE Spokane Stadium in downtown Spokane, Washington, hosting Fort Lauderdale United FC. The remaining schedule for the first half of the season will be announced next week. Season tickets are now on sale for this historic season that will change the landscape of women’s professional soccer in Spokane, America, and worldwide.
Secure the best seats now at www.spokanezephyrfc.com.