Michigan State sophomore goalkeeper Noelle Henning (0) waves to the crowd before the soccer game against Minnesota at DeMartin Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
When sophomore goalkeeper Noelle Henning left No. 2 Michigan State women’s soccer for a month midseason to represent Canada at the U20 Women’s World Cup, her teammates wished her luck. They just weren’t necessarily rooting for her to win.
“It's authentic when they wish me luck, but of course they want players back,” Henning said. “I remember Kennedy (Bell) was saying to me before I left, ‘Good luck, but I'm not going to be upset or anything if you lose.’”
Even head coach Jeff Hosler said he wouldn’t have been too sad if she had to come home from Poland early.
“We miss having her around,” Hosler said on Sept. 17 while she was gone. “Some of the girls were joking, ‘We love to see you keep playing well, but maybe you can lose on an own goal.’”
Henning didn't come home early. She led Canada to the quarterfinals, one stage further than in the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Now an established player, Henning started in four of the five matches.
“The experience of being at the first World Cup taught me I am deserving of this position,” Henning said. “The second one taught me just to really own every moment.”
In the group stage, Canada competed against Brazil, England and Tanzania. Winning one, losing one and drawing one, Canada qualified as one of the top third-place teams. They went on to upset France 3-1 in the Round of 16 before facing the to-be silver medalists, North Korea.
Henning said the quarterfinal was her favorite of the bunch, despite losing in heartbreaking fashion thanks to two late North Korean goals. She said the experience was “something you dream of.”
“You're traveling and you're doing what you love,” Henning said. “Those two things in combination are incredible. To represent your country and travel to parts of the world where you haven't been. What more can you ask for?”
Not all eligible players got the opportunity to attend the World Cup. Erica Meg Parkinson, an England youth international playing for North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League, made headlines when she was denied leave by her club to play in the tournament.
“It's a really tricky and challenging thing for both colleges and clubs to navigate,” Hosler said. “At the college level, when we talk about life experiences, it's one that you don't want to take away from your players."
Hosler released Henning for the World Cup and fellow Canadians, freshman midfielder Lacey Kindel and freshman goalkeeper Sam Powell, for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup later this month.
“It is important to let the players go and achieve a dream of being at a World Cup because it really is once in a lifetime,” Henning said.
Henning said youth World Cups are “the ultimate exposure,” with coaches and scouts from all over the world watching. Many stars shine with their youth national teams at these tournaments, propelling them to club contracts and professional success.
Global soccer stars Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Marta are among those calling for FIFA to organize youth World Cups within international windows for domestic leagues.
Hosler thinks it’s possible to benefit everyone. He said he would like to see FIFA create windows that consider the college season, too.
If the tournament hadn’t been in the middle of Henning’s season, she wouldn’t have missed a large portion of the season. It was a lot of time away from bonding with teammates. Thankfully for Henning, the team’s closeness still included her from across the world.
“Being with the girls again, it makes me so happy and makes me realize how privileged I am to be around such an incredible group,” Henning said. “I'm happy to be winning with them, to move up in the rankings in the Big Ten and to create success in everyday environments.”
While Henning was on international duty, senior goalkeeper Bella Schopp took her place in net for the Spartans. Schopp kept three clean sheets and made 13 saves. Henning said she watched the games from camp and loved seeing Schopp “killing it.”
“She's been unreal,” Henning said. “I take as much learning as I can from her. In training sessions, I'll literally stand right behind her and mimic her movements.”
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Henning’s commitment to improvement is admirable, but it’s not as if the sophomore’s goalkeeping skills are in desperate need of refinement. Henning is only in her second year with the Spartans and missed a month this season, but she’s already tied for seventh in career shutouts at MSU.
She holds a 0.57 goals-against average and an .852 save percentage. She's only allowed one goal this season, on top of two conceded penalties.
Henning couldn’t take home any hardware with Canada, but she still has the opportunity with the Spartans. Her list of goals is lofty.
“I want to win a Big Ten Championship,” Henning said. “I’m not too focused on the individual accolades, because what good is that if you’re not winning as a team? But definitely that: making a deep run in the postseason and then hopefully coming back with a championship.”
