Minnesota native Ava Westlund returns to Aurora for her third season in Eagan. Initially signed in 2024 with the Aurora 2 second team in the UPSL, Westlund made 10 appearances that season for A2. Aurora 2 ultimately went to the UPSL W Midwest Championship final in 2024, losing 1–0 to NOSC Blast at TCO Stadium in Eagan.
Following a stint with the second team in 2024, Westlund returned to Minnesota in 2025, joining the Aurora first team. Under head coach Jen Larrick the club won the USLW Heartland going unbeaten at 10-2-0 (W-D-L). They would make it to the USLW Semi-Final, ultimately falling at home 1–0 to Utah United. Ava played in 13 of Aurora's 15 matches, scoring three goals over the season, and averaging 65 minutes per match.
Following her graduation from Mounds View HS in the Twin Cities suburbs, she went on to play collegiately at California Baptist for three seasons. In those three seasons with the Lancers she made 51 appearances, started 36 times, and scored 13 goals. 9 of those goals along with 5 assists came in a breakout 2025 season where she also earned All-WAC Tournament Team, All-WAC First Team, and United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region Team honours.
On 9 December, 2025 it was made official that Westlund would be transferring to the University of Minnesota for the spring and 2026 soccer seasons. She'll play her senior season with the Gophers in St. Paul this fall. Before then, Westlund will play another summer with Aurora, who kick off the season in Kansas City on 9 May.
