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Meet the Newcomers: Bella Naples
7/10/2026 11:58:00 AM | Soccer
Get to know Minnesota native, Bella Naples
An incoming freshman from Victoria, Minnesota, Bella Naples is thrilled to represent her home state this season. Her path to the roster is paved with accolades, including being named the 2026 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year, the 2025 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, and a Class AAA Ms. Soccer finalist. Naples grew up around the game her whole life and credits those around her for her success. She wrapped up a successful career at Chanhassen High School, where she scored 80 career goals for the Storm, and earned varsity letters in soccer, basketball, track and field, Key Club, and academics.
Gopher Sports: Can you take me through your background?
Bella Naples: "I grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and then I moved to Victoria, Minnesota, in the fifth grade and have three sisters. I played CC United soccer from age three to around 15 or 16, and then I went to MTA."
GS: How did you really get into soccer?
BN: "I played basketball when I was younger for a long time, and I also ran track in high school. But my whole family plays soccer, all of my sisters and I. It's always been in my family. My dad played college soccer at Marquette, so we're a very big soccer family."
GS: At what age did you realize that you had a future playing college soccer?
BN: "I've always wanted to play college soccer. When I was little, my career goal was to be a professional soccer player. I think coming into high school is when I realized I was actually doing well and how much I liked it, I really wanted to keep playing."
GS: You won a few big awards recently. How did it feel to win those awards, knowing it's a reflection of your high school career?
BN: "It was really fun and really cool. I think it displayed how much work has been put in, and also reflected on my team and who I was surrounded by. My high school team was so good and we worked so well together, I definitely wouldn't have gotten either of those awards without them. It kind of makes me think about all the people I played with. I just really enjoyed it; it was fun."
GS: Do you have any favorite memories from playing club soccer or high school soccer?
BN: "In club soccer, I really enjoyed when we went to a showcase in Florida this past year. That was really fun; we went to the beach with the team and everything. I think all the out-of-town tournaments that I've ever done have always been fun; just traveling for soccer is so cool and feels special."
GS: Why Minnesota?
BN: "It really felt like a home here. It was so cool, everything about it. They have the academics that I really love; I'm going to be in Carlson this fall. The facilities, the coaches and the team too. When I got to meet the coaches and the team, it was so welcoming. It's challenging and it's going to make me so much better."
GS: For those who haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
BN: "I'm really hard-working, and I also like to be told what I can do better. I take that in, and I feel like I use it to be better. With my teammates and my coaches, I like to be told pointers to improve."
GS: Since this is your first season as a Gopher, what are some of the things you're looking forward to most in your freshman season?
BN: "I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know the players and the coaches, and getting better. I think the environment that you're in, it really impacts how you are as a player, so being around these people and these coaches is really going to help me improve."
GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher?
BN: "Khyah Harper was so cool to watch. She made a really big impact on the team."
GS: Do you have a favorite professional soccer player?
BN: "When I was younger, it was definitely Alex Morgan. I loved that she was left-footed like me. I always wore a pink pre-wrap like her, and I wanted to be number 13 because of her. I really loved watching her. I also really liked Tobin Heath, too."
Quick Kicks
Favorite sports team: The Vikings
Morning game or night game: Night game
If not soccer, what other sport: Track
Pregame coffee or energy drink: Pregame energy drink
Favorite pregame snack: Fruit!
Favorite postgame meal: Hmm, probably ice cream
Gopher Sports: Can you take me through your background?
Bella Naples: "I grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and then I moved to Victoria, Minnesota, in the fifth grade and have three sisters. I played CC United soccer from age three to around 15 or 16, and then I went to MTA."
GS: How did you really get into soccer?
BN: "I played basketball when I was younger for a long time, and I also ran track in high school. But my whole family plays soccer, all of my sisters and I. It's always been in my family. My dad played college soccer at Marquette, so we're a very big soccer family."
GS: At what age did you realize that you had a future playing college soccer?
BN: "I've always wanted to play college soccer. When I was little, my career goal was to be a professional soccer player. I think coming into high school is when I realized I was actually doing well and how much I liked it, I really wanted to keep playing."
GS: You won a few big awards recently. How did it feel to win those awards, knowing it's a reflection of your high school career?
BN: "It was really fun and really cool. I think it displayed how much work has been put in, and also reflected on my team and who I was surrounded by. My high school team was so good and we worked so well together, I definitely wouldn't have gotten either of those awards without them. It kind of makes me think about all the people I played with. I just really enjoyed it; it was fun."
GS: Do you have any favorite memories from playing club soccer or high school soccer?
BN: "In club soccer, I really enjoyed when we went to a showcase in Florida this past year. That was really fun; we went to the beach with the team and everything. I think all the out-of-town tournaments that I've ever done have always been fun; just traveling for soccer is so cool and feels special."
GS: Why Minnesota?
BN: "It really felt like a home here. It was so cool, everything about it. They have the academics that I really love; I'm going to be in Carlson this fall. The facilities, the coaches and the team too. When I got to meet the coaches and the team, it was so welcoming. It's challenging and it's going to make me so much better."
GS: For those who haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
BN: "I'm really hard-working, and I also like to be told what I can do better. I take that in, and I feel like I use it to be better. With my teammates and my coaches, I like to be told pointers to improve."
GS: Since this is your first season as a Gopher, what are some of the things you're looking forward to most in your freshman season?
BN: "I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know the players and the coaches, and getting better. I think the environment that you're in, it really impacts how you are as a player, so being around these people and these coaches is really going to help me improve."
GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher?
BN: "Khyah Harper was so cool to watch. She made a really big impact on the team."
GS: Do you have a favorite professional soccer player?
BN: "When I was younger, it was definitely Alex Morgan. I loved that she was left-footed like me. I always wore a pink pre-wrap like her, and I wanted to be number 13 because of her. I really loved watching her. I also really liked Tobin Heath, too."
Quick Kicks
Favorite sports team: The Vikings
Morning game or night game: Night game
If not soccer, what other sport: Track
Pregame coffee or energy drink: Pregame energy drink
Favorite pregame snack: Fruit!
Favorite postgame meal: Hmm, probably ice cream
Thursday, October 30
Tuesday, October 21
Sunday, October 19
Friday, October 17