BERKELEY- Former California women's soccer team members Noelle Bond-Flasza and Mia Fontana were invited to trial with the Utah Royals this month ahead of the 2026 NWSL season, which begins on March 14. The two budding professionals have joined the Royals in Sandy, Utah where they will train with the club through mid-February in its preseason camp in hopes of earning their first pro contracts.
 
"Mia and Noelle are both exceptionally gifted players who are well equipped to be top level professionals both domestically and internationally," Cal head coach Neil McGuire. "We wish them all the best during their preseason with Utah."
 
Bond-Flasza was a four-year player and three-year starter for the Golden Bears who made 77 appearances and 57 starts at the midfield position. After missing the 2023 season due to injury, Noelle returned to the lineup in 2024 had a career year with two goals, two assists and a game winner having played in all 21 matches. After the fall she decided to return for her 5th and final season in 2025 and was a true veteran presence starting in every match and donning a captain's armband. She tallied a career-high 1,663 minutes and played all 90 minutes in 12 matches.
 
Fontana, who earned an invitation to trial with the Chicago Red Stars in 2024, was a five-year forward for Cal that appeared in 74 matches with 49 starts. The 2023 Third-Team All-Pac-12 selection scored at least one goal in all five of her collegiate seasons including a career-high three goals in each of her last two. Fontana graduated with nine career goals, four of which were game winners, to go along with four assists. The talented forward is coming off her best collegiate season where she appeared in all 19 matches and added a career-high three assists to her trio of goals.