Red Stars draft DePaul standout from Schaumburg

Posted January 18, 2018 8:01 pm

Daily Herald news services

DePaul's Alexa Ben, a Schaumburg native, made program history on Thursday as she became the third Blue Demon from the women's soccer program to be drafted to play in the National Women's Soccer League as the Chicago Red Stars selected her 37th overall in the 2018 draft.

"It's a surreal feeling to be drafted, especially by my hometown team," Ben said. "I'm extremely excited to be able to stay local where my family has the opportunity to see me play. The moment I heard my name called my mouth dropped while all my friends around me were cheering and screaming with excitement. I'm really happy to start this next chapter in my soccer career with the Red Stars."

Ben joins former Blue Demons Julianne Sitch (2016, 32nd pick - Sky Blue FC) and Sarah Gorden (2017, 22nd pick - Chicago Red Stars) as the only other DePaul women's soccer athletes to be selected in women's professional soccer drafts.

"I am very proud of Alexa," said DePaul women's soccer head coach Erin Chastain. "She's very deserving of this opportunity. Her soccer IQ, technical ability, and mentality give her a wonderful chance to compete at this level."

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