NATCHITOCHES—Northwestern State has brought in its first transfer of the season in defender Rhiley Potteiger, head coach Ian Brophy announced Tuesday.

Potteiger, a transfer from Southern Miss, is a center back who will help replace the graduating Jessica Spitzer, the Southland Conference Defender of the Year.

"We are very excited to add Rhiley to our team," head coach Ian Brophy said. "We were looking for an experienced defender, and she will certainly add that to our defensive unit with what she has accomplished to this point in her career. She has the ability to make an instant impact and is a great fit for our style of play."

She played in 24 matches for USM, starting 11 of them in her two seasons there, including playing 16 and starting 10 as a sophomore this past season. Potteiger helped the Golden Eagles defense post a pair of shutouts, against Louisiana Tech and Troy.

Prior to her time with USM, she was an all-district selection at Bishop Kelley (Okla.) High.

She is the second addition to the Demons for the 2026 season, joining incoming freshman Addi Lehnertz, a defensive midfielder.

Brophy is no stranger to going all around the United States and Canada to find talent and he can add Oklahoma to the list with the Potteiger signing.

Of the 24 players on this past season's roster, nine states were represented, as well as a pair of provinces in Canada. The states represented on the Demons roster were California, Florida, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Virginia, Connecticut and Georgia.

NSU added Michigan with the Lehnertz signing.

Potteiger aims to step in and help NSU continue its strong play in the SLC and reach the NCAA Tournament after the Demons claimed the outright regular season crown this past season.