Wisconsin Women’s Soccer Spotlight: Emma Jaskaniec

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions made by women in our communities. This includes athletes and their success in sports. This month, we wanted to take a moment to highlight a women-identifying soccer player from Wisconsin who has made an impact both on and off the field.

Meet Emma Jaskaniec, Milwaukee-native and current UW-Madison Women’s Soccer player. Despite enduring a season-ending injury, she finished the 2022 season with 4 assists and 10 goals, the most in the Big-Ten conference. She won All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, becoming only the second in Wisconsin history to do so. To say she’s electric on the field is an understatement. 

We asked Jaskaniec how she first began playing soccer. When she was three years old, she touched the field for the first time and her parents instantly knew that soccer would be her sport. After playing recreationally, Jaskaniec transitioned to the club level and played for FC Milwaukee, later becoming FC Wisconsin ECNL. She committed to UW-Madison her freshman year of high school, graduated early, and played for the Badgers in the spring of what would have been her senior year of high school.

“My great grandma went here [UW-Madison], both my grandparents, both my parents, my brother went here, and so I knew I wanted to go to Madison.”

During her freshman year, the Badgers won the Big Ten tournament.

“Lifting up the trophy with all my team was just so cool and being one of two freshmen… I felt like I had such a big impact which I think was something that’s helped me throughout my career is feeling like I’m making an impact.”

Without a doubt, Emma has made an impact on Wisconsin soccer. Her freshman year, she scored the game-winning goal against Penn State, who was predicted to win the Big Ten at the time. Her sophomore year, Jaskaniec scored the late game-winner against Rutgers to send the Badgers to the Big Ten Championship. In her senior year, she led the squad to a late comeback win against Minnesota to retain their undefeated streak in the conference. These are just the moments she remembers the most. 

In the future, Jaskaniec hopes that Milwaukee soccer continues to grow. “In people’s minds, it’s like ‘What even is Wisconsin?’ Nobody respects the game, especially on the women’s side. And I’ve never really understood why because I feel like there've been amazing players that have come out of here… there’s good quality players that come out of Wisconsin but it’s never been respected.” 

What’s next for Jaskaniec? The goal is to be back for next season. Beginning to run again,Jaskaniec is already ahead of her expected return date. “I think this injury has put in perspective to me how much I love soccer. Sitting on the sidelines and watching my team practice, I would literally do anything to be back out there.”

Jaskaniec wants to come back strong and fit. Maybe win a Big Ten Championship again, too. Most importantly, when she returns, Jaskaniec wants to make a statement: She is here, and she’s got a point to prove.