USL W League Madison has announced the signing of 16-year-old goalkeeper Malia Zillman, the club’s first player at the position. The Waunakee native will join the team for its inaugural season in 2026.
Zillman, a standout for the Waunakee Warriors, helped lead her high school team to the state semifinals in 2024 before joining the Rockford Raptors in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). While with the Raptors, she earned Conference Cup Best XI and Golden Glove honors, was selected to the ECNL Midwest Conference Cup Selection Team, and helped the squad win the ECNL Midwest Conference Championship.
She has also gained international experience through the U.S. Youth National Team, participating in the U16 camps in the Netherlands, Spain, and domestically in 2025 after attending the USYNT ID Camp in 2024. Zillman also competed in the U.S. Olympic Development Program, earning spots on both the Midwest Regional and National Team selections.
Zillman has committed to play college soccer for the University of Iowa.
USL W League Madison Head Coach Giuliano Oliviero called Zillman’s signing “meaningful,” noting her “level of talent, maturity, and presence.” Technical Director Liz Lawrence said Zillman “raises the standard every day,” and Assistant Coach Tenzin Rampa described her as having “a presence and a positive energy” that contribute to her success.
