March 20, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Chicago Red Stars News Release
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Chicago Red Stars today announced the signing of all three of the team’s draft picks from the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. Penelope Hocking (Penn State, 7th overall) and Ally Schlegel (Penn State, 23rd overall) were both signed to three-year contracts with a fourth-year option and Sophie Jones (Duke, 43rd overall) was signed to a two-year contract.
“We’re really excited about the future for these three talented young players. They have fit in perfectly from day one,” said Red Stars Head Coach, Chris Petrucelli. “The draft at times can be a bit of a guessing game. It looks like we guessed correctly with this group. All three will contribute immediately and I expect will have long careers in the league.”
“I’m so excited for this next chapter of my career with the Red Stars! This experience has been so enjoyable yet challenging and I can’t wait to see all that we accomplish in the upcoming season with this amazing group,” said Hocking.
Forward Penelope Hocking joins the Red Stars after a dynamic collegiate career at both USC and Penn State University. While at Penn State, Hocking recorded 23 match appearances, with 22 starts, seven goals and eleven assists. The California native only spent one year at Penn State, but her performance earned her Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (9/25), Second Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-North Region Honors. Hocking’s honors at Penn State join the list of honors the forward earned while at USC. Topping the list of honors earned by Hocking is the record she holds for most goals scored in program history. Hocking’s 54 goals broke the school record of 48 career goals, which stood for almost 21 years and is the 12th most in PAC-12 history. Hocking has shown some of her scoring prowess this preseason as the rookie scored goals against Racing Louisville FC and New Jersey/New York Gotham FC in two of the club’s scrimmage matches.
“I am honored and excited by the opportunity to play for the Red Stars,” said Jones. “It has always been my dream to play professional soccer and I can’t thank the Red Stars enough for turning that dream into a reality. I am looking forward to challenging myself against the best players in the world every day in practice and in games in this incredible league. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing coaches and teammates and staff as a part of this amazing…