Former Penn State women’s soccer forward Penelope Hocking will head to the big leagues after closing out her collegiate career in Happy Valley.

Hocking was selected by the Chicago Red Stars as the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the NWSL Draft on Thursday night. She’ll join Nittany Lion and United States Women’s National Team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher on the team.

Before transferring to Penn State for the 2022 season, the Anaheim, California, native ran the Pac-12 conference with USC. Hocking netted 54 goals during her four years with the Trojans and was named Pac-12 Forward of the Year in her final two seasons at USC.

Shortly after her arrival with the Nittany Lions, Hocking became a consistent force in the starting lineup and tallied seven goals and 11 assists through 23 games. The transfer co-led the Big Ten in total assists along with teammate Kate Wiesner.

Hocking registered three games with at least two assists and scored two goals in the Nittany Lions’ senior day showing against Illinois.

Now, the forward will head to Chicago for her rookie 22-game regular season which will begin on Saturday, March 25.