CHAMPAIGN -  School might be out for the summer, but the Orange and Blue are still hard at work! Several of our Illini will be spending their summers playing with the Women's Premier Soccer League. A national soccer league, the WPSL was founded in 1997 and boasts 108 teams across the United States and Puerto Rico.

"The WPSL is a great opportunity for those college players who want to challenge themselves," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Whether they are preparing for their next college season, or aspire to play post-collegiately the WPSL offers college players competitive matches and quality training during the summer months when they are not allowed to train with their college coaches."

Rising Illini junior defender Lexi Carrier will be spending her summer playing with the Charleston Fleet, based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Competition for the Fleet will begin on June 9. Carrier played in 13 games for the Illini last season, earning 11 starts. She posted her first-career assist against Rutgers on Sept. 24.

Illini goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham has taken her talents to the Seattle Sounders for the summer. The Sounders opened the season with a 10-0 victory over the THUSC Diamonds and followed that up with an 11-0 win over the Washington Royals. The team will resume competition on June 9 against the Westside Timbers. Cunningham recorded 106 saves in her sophomore season, which marks the second-most in a season for an Illini goalkeeper.

Rising Illini senior midfielder Lauren Ciesla will spend her summer with the KC Courage in Kansas City. The team opened play on June 3 against the KC Athletics, and will take on the St. Louis Lions at 4 p.m. on June 9. Ciesla started in 17 of Illinois' 19 contests last season, and netted her first-career goal against DePaul on August 20.

Rising sophomore forward Madi Wolfbauer will represent the Illini with Motor City FC in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The program opened up its summer season with an 8-0 victory over the Empire Revs before following it up with a 1-0 win over the Columbus Eagles FC on June 3. Next up, Motor City will host the AAFC Lumberjills on June 8. Wolfbauer made two appearances for the Orange and Blue last season.

Also training this summer, rising sophomore Hope Breslin and rising senior Morgan Maroney will be spending the summer working out with the Chicago Red Stars. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the Red Stars is part of the National Women's Soccer League. Illini alumna, Vanessa DiBernardo, is a standout for the Chicago squad.