Haley, Turnbow, Alger, Foster, and Gorzak Drafted by Chicago
CHICAGO – The 2021 National Women’s Soccer League Draft has concluded, with Chicago making five Selections.
The Red Stars walked into Wednesday’s draft with the 6th, 18th, 25th and 35th overall selections after several trades throughout the 2020 calendar year.
Chicago used their first opportunity on the clock to enter into a trade with the Portland Thorns, acquiring the 7th pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a 2021 International spot, and the 32nd overall selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft in exchange for the 6th
overall selection.
The five draft selections made by the Red Stars are as follows:
7th Overall – Madison Haley Stanford Hometown: Dallas, Texas Height: 5-7 Forward
Haley opened her career at Stanford with 20 appearances including four starts in the postseason. The team noted that her hold-up play brought a different dimension to Stanford’s attack. As a Junior, Haley set career highs in goals (11) and assists (14), helping Stanford score a program record 102 goals. To date, Haley’s Stanford career includes 18 goals, 23 assists, and 57 games played – 36 of which she started.
Haley is a two-time NCAA Champion (2017, 2019) and three-time Pac-12 Champion (2017-19). She served as a member of the United States U-20 National Team and was called into a United States National Team camp (Nov. 27, 2019). Haley has been named to an All-Pac-12 first team (2019), All-Pac-12 second team (2018), All-America second team (2019), and College Cup All-Tournament team (2019).
Haley has excelled academically as well, making the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll (2019), Pac-12 All Academic honorable mention (2018), CoSIDA Academic All-America third team (2019), and CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 first team (2019).
18th Overall – Kelsey Turnbow Santa Clara Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona Height: 5-8 Forward
In her Freshman year at Santa Clara, Turnbow appeared in all 23 games with 21 starts and finished second in the WCC with 13 goals, five assists, and 31 points. She was recognized as WCC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-WCC, and WCC All-Freshman. To date, Vice-Captain Turnbow’s Santa Clara career includes 35 goals, 22 assists, and 67 games played – 60 of which she started.
Turnbow is no stranger to the national stage and has been part of the U14, U15, U17, U18, U19, and U20 US Women’s National Teams.
25th Overall – Brianna Alger Washington State Hometown: Monument, Colorado Height: 5-9 Defender
Alger played in all 20 of WSU’s contests her Sophomore year while starting 13. Making the most of her chances in the attack, she scored three goals in only nine shots on goal. Entering her Junior season, Alger moved into a new position as starting left back. She started all 24 games and totaled 2,098 minutes – the most of any field player. She finished the year as the third Cougar in program history to record double-digit assists posting 10, the most of any defender in the Pac-12.
Alger’s accolades include Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention (2018), Third Team All-Pac-12 (2019), two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (2019), and inaugural Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll. To date, Alger’s WSU career includes five goals, 12 assists, 66 games played, 49 starts, and a total 4,074 minutes played.
32nd Overall – Channing Foster Ole Miss Hometown: Murray, Kentucky Height: 5-6 Forward / Midfield
Foster kicked off her Ole Miss career netting a pair of game-winning goals and with recognition as 2017 SEC Freshman Leader in goals (12), 2017 SEC All-Freshman Team, and 2017 All-SEC Second Team. The accolades continued including All-SEC Second Team (2018), United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team (2018), two-time All-SEC First Team (2019, 2020), and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team (2019).
Foster’s Ole Miss career to date includes 70 games played and started, 33 goals, seven assists, and 6,151 minutes played. Most recently, Foster was named 2020 All-SEC First Team, becoming the second Rebel ever to be named all-conference four times in a career.
35th Overall – Alissa Gorzak University of Virginia Hometown: Naperville, Illinois Height: 5-6 Forward
Gorzak launched her career at the University of Virginia seeing action in all 22 matches with starts in 21. She earned an ACC All-Freshman Team selection and Third Team All-ACC selection. Most recently, Gorzak played in all 22 matches during the 2019 season and was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll. To date, her University of Virginia career includes five goals, 13 assists, 82 games played, 40 starts, and a total of 3,988 minutes played.
Gorzak is a two-time NSCAA Youth All-American. She served as a member of the US U-18 and U-19 WNT and was a member of the US U-20 WNT Player Pool.