Three club alums are currently in training camp with the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars, fighting for roster spots in the top women's professional league in the world.  

Three club alums are currently in training camp with the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars, fighting for roster spots in the top women's professional league in the world.  Cara Walls (3rd round draft pick, University of Wisconsin), Monica Gonyo (free agent, Loyola University), and Valerie Gonyo (free agent, Loyola University) were all invited into pre-season, and each appeared in the Red Stars' first pre-season game against Marquette University.

Walls was drafted after a banner-year at Wisconsin, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and helping lead Wisconsin to the Big 10 Tournament Championship and a top-25 final ranking.  Walls is a target forward with a unique combination of strength and speed, along with deceptive dribbling ability.  Monica and Val Gonyo finished their careers at Loyola as two of the school's all-time best players, both earning Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference in their senior seasons.  Monica is a tall goalkeeper with fantastic reflexes and shot-stopping ability, and Val is an intuitive leader in the backline.  All three played together as youth players.

In the Red Stars 3-0 victory over Marquette on March 16, Walls came on at half-time and both Gonyos made their appearance in the 70th minute.  For more information on the game, click here.  Club alum Jacie Jermier captained Marquette, and alums Caroline Fink and Anna Jurkin both made appearances for the Golden Eagles in the game, continuing a long line of players from the club that have represented MU.

"True development is long-term in its focus and its impact," said club DOC and Red Stars assistant Christian Lavers.  "It is a great credit to the work these women have put into their personal game, and it is really exciting as a club to see players that have come through our development system have this opportunity to continue their careers."

The Red Stars continue their pre-season slate with a game against the University of Wisconsin on Friday, March 20 at Reddan Park in Madison.