Michigan State freshman midfielder Lacey Kindel (10) quickly pivots to chase after an over-shot pass as Michigan's offense races in at DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., on Sept. 20, 2026.
Some teenagers want cars for their birthdays. Some want new phones, makeup, video games or clothes. But when freshman midfielder Lacey Kindel turns 17 this weekend, her first collegiate goal tops her birthday wishlist.
Born in 2009, Kindel is one of the youngest women’s soccer players in the NCAA.
To get to East Lansing, Kindel had to reclassify. She worked ahead at her high school in Vancouver, Canada, and spoke with head coach Jeff Hosler about coming a year early. She announced her commitment to play for No. 2 Michigan State women’s soccer in November 2025.
“I felt like I was ready to push myself,” Kindel said. “I was ready for the next steps.”
Hosler said Kindel is always one of his first choices off the bench.
“This kid’s 16 years old and playing for a top team in the country,” Hosler said. “Her soccer IQ and her work rate, for a freshman, are incredible.”
Striving for success is in her blood. Both of Kindel’s parents played for the Canadian National Team. Her father, Steve Kindel, spent most of his career in Canada and the United States, but he also played for Belgium's RAEC Mons. Her mother, Sara Maglio, played in Canada’s top division and was part of the Canadian Women’s National Team squad at the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Kindel wants to play professionally and play for Canada, just like her parents before her. Her goal is to play in the National Women’s Soccer League or in Europe. She’s on her way with the Canadian Youth National Team.
Kindel competed for Canada in both the U15 CONCACAF Championship in 2024, where they came in third. In the FIFA U17 Qualifiers and the World Cup in Morocco in 2025, they advanced to the quarterfinals. She had a goal and two assists as she started all four games in the World Cup.
Lacey isn’t the only Kindel sibling making an impact in professional sports. Her brother, Ben Kindel, plays hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League.
“It’s really hard being away from my parents and everyone I know,” Lacey Kindel said. “There are times I really miss them, but I’m happy I have a team here and that I’m so close with them. They're like a second family now.”
Kindel said being one of six Canadian nationals on the MSU roster made it easier to move away from home at 16.
“It’s nice having people from home,” Kindel said. “It’s hard moving countries, but it’s nice having people in the same situation as you.”
Senior midfielder Kayla Briggs, from Toronto, said Kindel being so young has been the source of some fun for the team.
“She’s so young, it’s really funny; we always joke around with her,” Briggs said. "She's done really great coming and integrating in. She’s had a key role coming off the bench in games. Her hold-up play has been awesome. I’m excited for her to get her first goal too; I know that’s gonna come soon.”
“They obviously joke around a lot with me, but I don’t feel any different from them,” Kindel said. “I feel like I fit in pretty well.”
Her teammate, freshman goalkeeper Samantha Powell — also from Canada — is only a few months older than Kindel. Kindel has known Powell for years, playing for Canada at the youth levels and for Vancouver Rise together. They also went to the same high school.
Part of Kindel’s daily routine is dinner with her roommates, Powell, freshman midfielder Saydie Herbert and freshman midfielder LJ Pearcy.
Even though Kindel falls on the younger side of the freshman class, she said her bond with her teammates has been the highlight of her college life so far.
“We always have movie nights together,” Kindel said. “We bake together, cook together. I really enjoy my time with them.”
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Kindel said she feels the age difference more on the field than in the locker room when she faces players five or six years older than herself.
“You can tell they’re older,” Kindel said. “Obviously, they’ve been in college for a few years, so they’re stronger, but I’ve been playing women’s soccer for a few years now, so it wasn’t too much of a jump.”
Kindel has experience competing with women far older than herself. In the Northern Super League, Canada’s top division, Kindel competed against women 15 -20 years older than her. On April 24, 2026, she made her professional debut for Vancouver Rise against AFC Toronto, becoming the youngest player to appear in an NSL match.
Kindel was in the Rise’s academy program and worked her way onto the first team as squad players got injured.
Kindel said the biggest challenge in her transition to MSU is adjusting to the high-intensity environment. She said the high expectations have been very different from club soccer, but that it’s pushing her to become better.
“I just love playing soccer here,” Kindel said.
