ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University Women's Soccer has announced their captains for the upcoming 2026 season, as
Brooke Blackstock,
Brae Cole and
Ella Shapiro earn the honors after their astounding performance this past season, leading the team to its deepest postseason run in recent history.
Oakland Head Coach Devin Zvosec had nothing but high praise for the team's captains.
"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."
Brooke Blackstock is a returning junior, coming off a breakout season in 2025 as a defender. Throughout the season, she was one of eight players to take on 20 matches, playing the full 90 minutes in all but two games. Not only a key piece to Oakland's back line, Blackstock also leads off the pitch, having been named to the 2025 CSC Women's Soccer All-District Team, as College Sports Communicators acknowledged her hard work in the classroom.
Brae Cole is beginning her second season at Oakland as a redshirt senior, playing as both a defender and midfielder logging numerous career highs this past season. Along with being named to the #HLWSOC All-League Second Team, Cole was the only Horizon League player to secure a hat-trick, placing three goals at the back of the net against Mercyhurst (8/21). She led the team not only in minutes (1,727), but also goals (6) and assists (3) as Cole played and started in all 20 matches of the season.
Ella Shapiro is a returning midfielder starting her second season at Oakland as a redshirt senior. Logging 1641 minutes, she played and started in all 20 matches of the 2025 season attempting 15 shots, six on goal, and scoring two. The Horizon League named Shapiro as a 2025 #HLWSOC Sportsmanship Award Finalist, exemplifying why she is a leader of the squad.
Blackstock, Cole, and Shapiro have all shown immense effort and dedication as they look to help a program that is continually growing and is aiming to be atop the conference ranks in 2026.
