2024 Soccer Roster
Jersey Number 13
Ella Karolak
- Position:
- Defender
- Height:
- 5-7
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Grosse Pointe, Mich.
- High School:
- University Liggett School
Senior - 2024
- CSC Academic All-District
- Started in 17 matches, featuring in the full 90 minutes for 14 of those contests.
- Recorded a career-best two assists on the season.
- Helped the Illini keep four clean sheets during the campaign.
- Picked up her first assist on the season on Aug. 15 vs. Wright State.
- Tallied her second assist on Aug. 22 vs. Missouri.
Junior - 2023
- CSC Academic All-District.
- Academic All-Big Ten.
- Team Defensive MVP.
- Started all 17 matches and played in all 1,530 minutes of action.
- Helped anchor an Illini defense that kept three shutouts on the season and allowed 25 goals, the program's lowest mark in a full season since 2018.
- Had five matches completing at least 80 percent of her passes.
- Made a season-high 13 interceptions on Sept. 22 vs. Indiana...also posted double-digit interceptions on Oct. 15 vs. Purdue (11).
- Picked up her lone assist on the season on Oct. 8 at Minnesota.
Sophomore - 2022
- CSC Academic All-District
- Academic All-B1G
- Named the team's Defensive MVP.
- C.H.A.M.P Award winner.
- Appeared in 18 games, starting all of them.
- One of nine outfield players to record 1000+ minutes on the season.
- Fired all three of her shots on target.
- Recorded the first assist of her career on Aug. 21 vs. Toledo.
- Scored the first goal of her career on Sept. 22 at Maryland.
Freshman - 2021
- Appeared in six games on the season.
- Made her Illini debut at Illinois State 8/22/21, recording 12 minutes of action in Illinois’ 5-1 victory.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Four-year letter winner in field hockey, lacrosse, and one basketball letter at University Liggett School.
- Played for Michigan Hawks Soccer Club.
- 2019 ECNL National Finalist.
PERSONAL
- Born March 9, 2003 in Royal Oak, Mich.
- Daughter of Kevin and Kriste Karolak.
- Majoring in Psychology.
- Hobbies include painting, drawing, and walking her yellow lab.
- Favorite athlete is Crystal Dunn.
- Credits her dad as the biggest influence on her athletic career.
- Played with Illini junior Lily Lucas at Michigan Hawks Soccer Club in 2018 and 2019.
- Chose Illinois because “the university has the perfect balance between academics and athletics, as well as a diverse community and beautiful college town. The family orientated team and great coaching staff made my decision easy. I knew it was the best place for me.”
Illinois Soccer I NCAA Tournament Postgame Press Conference vs. Memphis 11/15/25
Monday, November 17
Illinois Soccer I Head Coach Katie Hultin Media Availability Ahead of NCCA Tournament 11/12/25
Wednesday, November 12
After 23 Years, Illinois Soccer Starts a New Chapter
Wednesday, August 06
Meet Katie Hultin: Illinois Soccer’s New Leader
Sunday, June 15
