Oakland University Announces 2026 Women’s Soccer Captains Blackstock Cole Shapiro
The Oakland University Women’s Soccer team is gearing up for an exciting 2026 season with the announcement of their new captains: Brooke Blackstock, Brae Cole, and Ella Shapiro.
These three have shown real leadership and skill, pushing the team to its best postseason run in years.
Head Coach Devin Zvosec says he trusts these captains to guide the squad to new heights, both on and off the field.
As the Golden Grizzlies set their sights on the Horizon League, let’s take a closer look at what makes these captains tick—and how they hope to lead their team to victory.
Meet the Captains: Brooke Blackstock, Brae Cole, and Ella Shapiro
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Each captain brings something different to the table, which makes for a pretty dynamic leadership group.
Their hard work and strong performances have earned them these roles, and they seem ready to tackle whatever the season throws their way.
Brooke Blackstock: The Defensive Dynamo
Brooke Blackstock, now a junior, broke out in 2025 as a defender.
She anchored Oakland’s back line, playing in 20 matches and going the full 90 in all but two.
Her defense played a huge part in the team’s success, and she also did well in the classroom, landing on the 2025 CSC Women’s Soccer All-District Team.
Brooke doesn’t just lead on the pitch—she sets the tone everywhere.
- Position: Defender
- Height: 5′ 7″
- Class: Sophomore
- Achievements: 2025 CSC Women’s Soccer All-District Team
Brae Cole: The Versatile Veteran
Brae Cole enters her second year at Oakland as a redshirt senior, switching between defender and midfielder.
Last season, she hit several career highs and made the #HLWSOC All-League Second Team.
Brae had the only hat-trick in the Horizon League, netting three against Mercyhurst.
She led the team in minutes (1,727), goals (6), and assists (3), starting every one of the 20 matches.
Her ability to play anywhere and lead by example is a huge boost for the team.
- Position: Defender/Midfielder
- Height: 5′ 8″
- Class: Redshirt Junior
- Achievements: #HLWSOC All-League Second Team, Hat-trick against Mercyhurst
Ella Shapiro: The Midfield Maestro
Ella Shapiro returns as a midfielder, kicking off her second season at Oakland as a redshirt senior.
She started all 20 matches in 2025, logging 1,641 minutes.
Ella took 15 shots, put six on goal, and scored twice.
The Horizon League named her a 2025 #HLWSOC Sportsmanship Award Finalist, recognizing her sportsmanship and leadership.
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She controls the midfield and sets the standard for conduct—she’s a steady force for the team.
- Position: Midfielder
- Height: 5′ 8″
- Class: Redshirt Senior
- Achievements: 2025 #HLWSOC Sportsmanship Award Finalist
Coach Devin Zvosec’s Confidence in His Captains
Head Coach Devin Zvosec has made it clear—he believes in Blackstock, Cole, and Shapiro.
He credits them for their leadership during the program’s deep postseason run.
Coach Zvosec sounds genuinely excited about what these three can do for Oakland Women’s Soccer.
EARNED! I’m incredibly proud of these three. Each of them played an important leadership role in our program’s success and in our conference tournament run this past fall. I know that Brooke, Ella, and Brae are the right three people to continue pushing our program to new heights and putting Oakland women’s soccer back on the map. They each bring a unique perspective, background, and leadership quality that will help guide our team toward success both on and off the field.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
With Blackstock, Cole, and Shapiro leading the way, Oakland Women’s Soccer looks ready for a big 2026.
These captains have set a solid foundation, and their mix of skills and experience could make the difference as the Golden Grizzlies chase the top of the conference.
Team Goals and Expectations
The team isn’t shy about aiming high—they want to build on last year’s success and go even further.
With the captains at the helm, everyone’s focused on improving, backing each other up, and playing their best every match.
Key Matches to Watch
The 2026 schedule is packed with games fans won’t want to miss.
Certain matchups could shape the team’s Horizon League standing or even spark another playoff run.
- Oakland vs. Mercyhurst: A rematch of Brae Cole’s hat-trick performance.
- Oakland vs. Horizon League Rivals: These conference games will be huge for the team’s success.
- Oakland vs. Non-Conference Opponents: These tests should get the squad playoff-ready.
Conclusion
The Oakland University Women’s Soccer team just announced their captains for the 2026 season: Brooke Blackstock, Brae Cole, and Ella Shapiro.
These three have shown real leadership and strong play, which clearly made an impression on both their coach and teammates.
With them at the helm, the team heads into the new season with a lot of excitement. Fans are probably hoping for some wild matches and maybe even another deep postseason run.
For more info, check out the official Oakland University Women’s Soccer news page.