By Jennie Renner | Photo Provided
Summit City United, Fort Wayne’s professional indoor women’s soccer team, is entering its second season in the Women’s Major League Indoor Soccer (WMLIS). The league, still in its early growth, offers an alternative to traditional outdoor soccer. It’s also a way to showcase talent and build something meaningful for the community.
“We are excited and fortunate that this level of women’s soccer is now available in Fort Wayne,” said team captain Alyssa Weiseman.
Home games are held at Classic City Center in Waterloo, Indiana. The season kicks off in January, with the playoff weekend scheduled for March 28–29, 2026, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Weiseman, a Fort Wayne native, has been immersed in soccer since infancy. “My mom says I went to my first game at two weeks old—my older brother’s match at Homestead High School,” she said. By age four, she was playing on her own team. Her journey has included Homestead High, Fort Wayne Citadel, Fort Wayne Fever, and Trinity Christian College in Illinois. Now, nearly 34 years later, she’s still competing. “I love the fact that I am able to continue playing with other women I have played with for decades,” she said. “And also, that I get to meet and play with so many new, young players.”
Fellow teammate Eliana “Eli” Sommer is also a Fort Wayne native and was co-captain with Weiseman last year. At 36, she brings experience and mentorship to the team. “Us older ladies aren’t in it for anything except to help the younger girls grow and hopefully see this team succeed and grow the sport,” she said.
Sommer, a sports performance trainer, finds joy in helping others reach their goals. “I think that’s also a reason I keep playing,” she said. “I just want this team to be great and do well, and I love that I get the opportunity to be a part of it… and hopefully motivate some younger people to try it out.”
Both Weiseman and Sommer describe indoor soccer as a fast-paced, energetic sport that appeals to all ages and offers a unique twist on traditional soccer. Sommer compares it to hockey, highlighting the constant motion, frequent goals, and the use of walls to keep the ball in play, all of which contribute to its dynamic and entertaining nature.
Weiseman emphasizes the family-friendly aspect of the game and the team’s visible passion on the field, making it an engaging experience for spectators. “We are all passionate about the team and playing, and I feel that is evident when watching us play,” she said.
Goalkeeper Carmen Sweigard adds a fresh perspective. Originally from South Lyon, Michigan, she has long ties to the area. Her grandparents lived in Fort Wayne, and her family has a cottage in Kendallville, so this area has always felt like a second home to her. After graduating from Trine University in 2023, she moved to Fort Wayne for work.
Sweigard has played soccer for as long as she can remember. She values Summit City United’s strong sense of community and the friendships she’s built. “What truly makes me glow is making a positive impact—on the field and beyond,” she said. “I’m passionate about helping others and being part of something bigger than myself, and I see so many opportunities to do that with this team.”
With a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh energy, Summit City United is building something special—one match, one player, and one goal at a time. As the team takes the field this season, they’re not just competing; they’re creating momentum for women’s sports in Fort Wayne and lighting the way for those who will follow.
Summit City United, Fort Wayne’s professional indoor women’s soccer team, is entering its second season in the Women’s Major League Indoor Soccer (WMLIS). The league, still in its early growth, offers an alternative to traditional outdoor soccer. It’s also a way to showcase talent and build something meaningful for the community.
“We are excited and fortunate that this level of women’s soccer is now available in Fort Wayne,” said team captain Alyssa Weiseman.
Home games are held at Classic City Center in Waterloo, Indiana. The season kicks off in January, with the playoff weekend scheduled for March 28–29, 2026, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Weiseman, a Fort Wayne native, has been immersed in soccer since infancy. “My mom says I went to my first game at two weeks old—my older brother’s match at Homestead High School,” she said. By age four, she was playing on her own team. Her journey has included Homestead High, Fort Wayne Citadel, Fort Wayne Fever, and Trinity Christian College in Illinois. Now, nearly 34 years later, she’s still competing. “I love the fact that I am able to continue playing with other women I have played with for decades,” she said. “And also, that I get to meet and play with so many new, young players.”
Fellow teammate Eliana “Eli” Sommer is also a Fort Wayne native and was co-captain with Weiseman last year. At 36, she brings experience and mentorship to the team. “Us older ladies aren’t in it for anything except to help the younger girls grow and hopefully see this team succeed and grow the sport,” she said.
Sommer, a sports performance trainer, finds joy in helping others reach their goals. “I think that’s also a reason I keep playing,” she said. “I just want this team to be great and do well, and I love that I get the opportunity to be a part of it… and hopefully motivate some younger people to try it out.”
Both Weiseman and Sommer describe indoor soccer as a fast-paced, energetic sport that appeals to all ages and offers a unique twist on traditional soccer. Sommer compares it to hockey, highlighting the constant motion, frequent goals, and the use of walls to keep the ball in play, all of which contribute to its dynamic and entertaining nature.
Weiseman emphasizes the family-friendly aspect of the game and the team’s visible passion on the field, making it an engaging experience for spectators. “We are all passionate about the team and playing, and I feel that is evident when watching us play,” she said.
Goalkeeper Carmen Sweigard adds a fresh perspective. Originally from South Lyon, Michigan, she has long ties to the area. Her grandparents lived in Fort Wayne, and her family has a cottage in Kendallville, so this area has always felt like a second home to her. After graduating from Trine University in 2023, she moved to Fort Wayne for work.
Sweigard has played soccer for as long as she can remember. She values Summit City United’s strong sense of community and the friendships she’s built. “What truly makes me glow is making a positive impact—on the field and beyond,” she said. “I’m passionate about helping others and being part of something bigger than myself, and I see so many opportunities to do that with this team.”
With a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh energy, Summit City United is building something special—one match, one player, and one goal at a time. As the team takes the field this season, they’re not just competing; they’re creating momentum for women’s sports in Fort Wayne and lighting the way for those who will follow.