NATCHITOCHES—Northwestern State adds to its 2026 recruiting class with the signing of transfer Maliya Maldonado, head coach Ian Brophy announced Tuesday.

Maldonado, a midfielder, is a transfer from South Florida, who wis set to come in and help offset the loss of graduating senior Madison Murphy.

A native of Land O Lakes, Fla., she hails from the same hometown as current Demon defender Sophia Minnillo.

Maldonado played five games on a 9-8-3 team that earned a trip to the American Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals.

Like current Demon Anika Sproxton, Maldonado also has experience playing on a national stage, as she has experience playing with Puerto Rico.

She played for the Puerto Rico National team Starting XI in both the U17 and U20 Concacaf World Cup qualifiers and championships.

She was also named ECNL Southeast Conference First Team in 2023-24 and Second Team in 2024-25.

"We are thrilled to add a quality midfielder and someone who I have been watching play since her club soccer days in Florida," Brophy said. "She is versatile, dynamic and talented. She also brings international experience with Puerto Rico, and we are excited to see the impact she can have as a Demon."

In her one season, she recorded one point on the season, an assist in USF's 6-0 win over Grambling.

Prior to her season with the Bulls, she was a star for Land O Lakes High.

She continues a pipeline from Florida to Natchitoches, one that includes Kennedy Rist, Gabriela Page, Emily Gundin and Minnillo.

Overall, Maldonado will be the eighth Florida native to play in a game for Brophy, who is also a Florida native.

Maldonado steps into a midfield group that is talented and aims to help the Demons move one step forward and to a berth in the NCAA Tournament.