by Per Andrew McDonnell
Lorain County Leviathan Announce Women’s Team for 2027, Expanding Soccer in Soccer County USA
New team will bring elite women’s soccer to ForeFront Field in Avon, creating opportunities for top collegiate talent, recent graduates and aspiring professionals while expanding the organization’s investment in soccer across Lorain County.
LORAIN COUNTY, OH — The Lorain County Leviathan are expanding their mission of making Lorain County a destination for soccer with the launch of a women’s team in 2027. Led by the same ownership group behind the organization’s established men’s USL League Two franchise, the new team will bring another level of competitive soccer to the region while creating opportunities for elite female athletes to continue pursuing the game at a high level.
The expansion represents an important next step for an organization that has quickly established itself as a growing presence in the regional and national soccer landscape. With a commitment to competitive excellence, player development and community investment, the Leviathan are building an organization designed to provide opportunities for athletes both on and off the field.
The women’s program will focus on attracting elite collegiate talent, including current college players looking to compete during the summer months, as well as former collegiate athletes who have completed their college careers but are not ready to walk away from competitive soccer. The organization sees an opportunity to provide a platform for players who want to continue developing, competing and showcasing their abilities beyond the traditional college experience.
For many athletes, graduation does not mean their competitive soccer journey has to end. The Leviathan intend to create an environment where former college players can remain connected to the game, compete alongside emerging talent and continue testing themselves against quality opposition. The program will also seek players with professional aspirations who are looking for additional opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and pursue the next stage of their careers.
The announcement builds on the momentum of the men’s Leviathan, who completed their 2026 season with a 6-5-1 record. The club established a strong home-field presence, finished among the top 10 teams in league attendance and welcomed more than 11,000 spectators across six home matches at ForeFront Field.
That support has demonstrated the appetite for high-level soccer in Lorain County and provided the foundation for the organization’s continued expansion.
“From the beginning, our mission has been bigger than one team. We want to make Lorain County a destination for soccer, create opportunities for athletes and give this community something it can truly call its own,” said Andrew McDonnell, owner of the Lorain County Leviathan and head coach of the Lorain County Community College men’s soccer program.
“We have seen what can happen when you bring talented players, a committed ownership group and an enthusiastic community together. Launching our women’s team is a natural next step. There are outstanding female soccer players coming out of colleges across the country, and there are graduates who still have plenty of soccer left in them. We want to give those athletes a place to compete, showcase their talent and be part of something bigger. We believe Lorain County can become a destination for women’s soccer just as we are working to establish it on the men’s side.”
The women’s team will play its home matches at ForeFront Field in Avon, Ohio, the same venue that hosts the men’s Leviathan at the home of the Lake Erie Crushers. The organization plans to build on its existing matchday operations, community relationships and growing supporter base to establish an equally engaging experience for women’s soccer.
ForeFront Field offers an opportunity to bring collegiate-level talent and competitive summer soccer into a professional sporting environment, giving players the opportunity to perform in front of local supporters while introducing new audiences to the women’s game.
Adam Stalnaker, co-owner of the Leviathan and a Bay Village resident, said the expansion reflects the organization’s long-term vision for the region.
“We believe Lorain County has the foundation to become a true soccer community,” said Stalnaker. “The success of the men’s team has shown us what is possible when you combine local support, ambitious leadership and a great matchday experience. We are excited to bring that same energy to women’s soccer. This is about building something sustainable, creating opportunities for athletes and giving the community another team to rally around for years to come.”
Building More Than Another Team
Beyond the field, the Leviathan view the women’s expansion as an opportunity to strengthen the entire soccer ecosystem throughout Lorain County.
By bringing men’s and women’s competitive soccer under one organization, the Leviathan aim to create a stronger soccer community, connecting athletes, families, youth programs, colleges, local businesses and supporters through a shared passion for the game.
The organization intends to use the women’s team to expand local engagement, develop new community partnerships and help strengthen the pathway for female athletes pursuing opportunities in the sport.
The ownership group is also committed to exploring partnerships that extend beyond matchdays, including opportunities to engage young female athletes, connect with local soccer organizations and create additional visibility for women’s soccer throughout the region.
The expansion is part of a broader commitment to making Lorain County a place where talented players want to compete, families want to attend matches and businesses want to invest in the future of the sport.
Additional details regarding the team’s identity, coaching staff, player recruitment, schedule and community initiatives will be announced in the coming months. The organization also plans to announce a dedicated, Lorain County-focused expansion initiative designed to grow participation and engagement in women’s soccer throughout the area.
For the Leviathan, the launch represents more than adding another team. It is another step toward a broader vision of making soccer a defining part of Lorain County’s identity and creating opportunities for athletes at every stage of their playing careers.
The men’s team helped establish the foundation. Now, the women are joining the journey.
Soccer County USA is growing — and 2027 will bring a new chapter to the Lair.
About Lorain County Leviathan
The Lorain County Leviathan are a soccer organization competing in USL League Two, providing a platform for emerging talent and bringing high-level soccer and community-driven experiences to Lorain County. Playing home matches at ForeFront Field in Avon, Ohio, the organization is committed to growing the game, supporting athletes and building a lasting soccer culture across the region.
Through its continued investment in competitive men’s and women’s soccer, the Leviathan aim to create opportunities for collegiate athletes, aspiring professionals and soccer supporters while establishing Lorain County as a destination for the sport.
For more information, visit loraincountyleviathanfc.com.
