The Allen Red Devils got a headstart on the 2026 soccer season by signing a pair of players Coach Jeremy McGinnis hopes will make an immediate impact.
With 10 of their 23 players set to graduate or transfer next spring, Allen made a pair of crucial signings in midfielder Carly Hanks and goalkeeper Mackenzie Mertel.
“It’s a big day for us. I’ve been working on this for a while,” McGinnis said.
McGinnis said he first became impressed with Mertel when she participated in goalkeeper camps several years ago, and has courted the Tecumseh native since.
Mertel may make her way into the rotation faster than anticipated. With sophomores Niamh Ellison and Sashay Morgan likely moving on next spring, Mertel may be a welcome addition.
As a high school junior, Mertel had a team-leading 73 saves while assisting the Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds to a 11-6-1 record and second in their district at 7-1.
“I’m really excited. It’s a cool deal and I like how the girls are close,” Mertel said. “I like that it’s close to home but far enough away. The coach, I love him, I love the players. They’re like a family. I’ve known Coach Jeremy for a while, so he kind of reached out.”
Hanks comes to Allen from Olathe, where she led the Class 6A Olathe Northwest Ravens, but McGinnis got to know her as a member of her club team Union KC. Last summer she began reaching out to area programs and eventially had an opportunity to show Coach McGinnis, what she could do.
programs and came across Allen. After getting in touch with McGinnis, and showing what she could do, McGinnis made an offer.
“We went and watched her play with her club team at center-mid,” McGinnis said. “She’s very composed but really technical and at ease in the midfield.”
With sophomore strikers Jillian Muehlberger and Charlotte Gatehouse likely moving on next spring, shoring up Allen’s center was a top priority for Coach McGinnis.
“It’s a really big deal. I’m excited. I’m ready,” said Hanks, who hopes to make her way into the rotation next season playing midfielder. “I’m going to take the offseason and the school season seriously preparing for this.”
Considering they will take the field with players of both national and international acclaim, Hanks and Mertel said they look forward to what they will learn on and off the field.
“It’s really cool. I love hearing all of the different voices and how they communicate on the field,” Hanks said.
McGinnis said he plans to make many more signings in the coming months, but landing Hanks and Mertel is a great start.
“This is a big start for us and getting back to our winning ways,” McGinnis said. “Getting them in early means not having to rush or push other offers out there. With big recruiting showcases coming up we’re not in a rush to try and push things through.”
