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University of Illinois Athletics

Illini Soccer in the Pros

Sarah Foley (2022-25)

Current Club: Bodo Glimt (2026)
 
Sydney Stephens (2021-25)

Current Club: Silgo Rovers FC (2026)
 
Champaign, IL - July 25, 2024 - Illinois Defender Ella Karolak headshot taken during the 2024 Soccer Production Day at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. (Photo By Kevin Snyder/Illinois Athletics) Ella Karolak (2021-24)

Current Club: Silgo Rovers FC (2026)
 
CHAMPAIGN, IL - August 07, 2023 - Illinois Defender Ashley Cathro (#33) headshot taken during the 2023 Production Day at the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center in Champaign, IL. Photo By Kevin Snyder Ashley Cathro (2018-23)

Current Club: AFC Toronto (2025-Present)

Other Clubs: 
Racing Louisville FC B (2022)
Vancouver Island FC (2019)
TSS FC Rovers (2018)
Hope Breslin Headshot Hope Breslin (2017-2021)

Current Club: Brooklyn FC (2024-present)

Other Clubs: 
Wellington Phoenix (2023-24)
Houston Dash (2023)
Angel City FC (2022)

Drafted: Angel City FC, 2022 3rd Round (28th overall)
Arianna Veland 2019 Headshot Arianna Veland (2016-19)

Current Club: Oakland Soul (2024 - present)

Other Clubs: 
Grindavik FC (Iceland) - 2023
Lily Wolf (Japan) - 2022
FK Zalgiris (Lithuania) - 2022
Moron BK Skelleftea (Sweden) - 2021
FC Wurzbuger (Bundesliga II) - 2020
Katie Murray Illini in the Pros mug Katie Murray (2015-18)

Current Club: Spokane Zephyr (2024-Present)

Other Clubs: 
Washington Spirit (2022)
PEC Zwolle (2021-22)
UD Tenerife (2020)
IK Myran (2019)
Dayton Dutch Lions (2016)
Patricia George Illini in the Pros mug Patricia George (2015-18)

Current Club: Fenerbahce (2022-Present)

Former Clubs: 
SC Sand (German Bundesliga I)- 2021-Present
FC Cloppenburg (German Bundesliga II) - 2020-2021
Jannelle Flaws Illini in the Pros mug Jannelle Flaws (2010-15) // Retired

Clubs: SW Meppen (German Bundesliga I) - 2020-22, FC Cloppenburg (German Bundesliga II) - 2018-2020

Drafted: Chicago Red Stars, 2016 - 4th Round (33rd Overall)
 
Vanessa DiBernardo (2010-13)

Current Club: Kansas City Current (2023-Present)

Other Clubs: 
Chicago Red Stars (NWSL) - 2014-2022
Perth Glory (Australia W-League) - 2015-17*
*on loan from Chicago during offseason

Drafted: Chicago Red Stars, 2014 - 1st Round (4th Overall)

International Competitions: 2011 U-20 World Cup (Champion)
Jackie Santacaterina 2007-08 mug Jackie Santacaterina (2006-10) // Retired

Clubs:
Chicago Red Stars 60th overall pick (2010)
Chicago Red Stars (2010-14). 
 
Mary Therese McDonnell Mary Therese McDonnell (2004-07) // Retired

Clubs:
Chicago Red Stars (2011-12)
St. Louis Athletica (2010)
Chicago Red Stars (2010)
Sky Blue FC (2009)
Boston Renegades (2008)
 
Ella Masar Illini in the Pros mug Ella Masar (2004-07) // Retired

Clubs:
VfL Wolfsburg (German Bundesliga) - 2018-19
FC Rosengard (Sweden) - 2016-18
Chicago Red Stars (NWSL) - 2012-13
Paris Saint-Germain (France) - 2011
MagicJack (WPS) - 2011
Chicago Red Stars (WPS) - 2009-10
Team Strommen (Norway) - 2008
Emily Zurrer (2005-08) // Retired

Clubs:
Jitex BK (Sweden) - 2014
Seattle Reign (NWSL) - 2013
Dalsjofors GoIF (Sweden) - 2011
SG Essen-Schonebeck (German Bundesliga) - 2009-10

International Competitions: Canada National Team
2012 Summer Olympics (Bronze)
2011 FIFA World Cup
2008 Summer Olympics
2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship
christen karniski mug illini in pros Christen Karniski (2002-2006) // Retired

Clubs: 
Washington Freedom- Drafted 64th overall (2009)
Washington Freedom (2009)
Denmarks IF (Uppsala, Sweden)- 2008
Illini Drafted
Year Player Team Pick No.
2021 Hope Breslin Angel City FC No. 28
2016 Jannelle Flaws Chicago Red Stars No. 33
2014 Vanessa DiBernardo Chicago Red Stars No. 4
2010 Jackie Santacaterina Chicago Red Stars No. 60
2008 Ella Masar Chicago Red Stars No. 9
2008 Mary Therese McDonnell Sky Blue FC No. 53
2008 Christen Karniski Washington Freedom No. 64