Penn State Board of Trustees alumni trustee and Penn State women’s soccer alumna Ali Krieger retired in style over the weekend as a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Champion.

Krieger and New Jersey/New York Gotham Football Club clinched the NWSL Championship with a dramatic 2-1 victory over OL Reign Saturday in San Diego, California. Nittany Lion alumna Ellie Jean was also crowned a champion as part of Gotham FC.

Ali Krieger went out on top pic.twitter.com/4SeEaTev91

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 12, 2023

“I’ve dreamt of this for so long,” Krieger said postgame. “To play club soccer in my own country and to win it in front of 25,000 people, and it’s only going to get better and better. This is just the beginning.”

The Dumfries, Virginia, native retired from the sport Saturday as a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, two-time Olympian, UEFA Champions League winner, four-time NWSL Best XI, FIFA FIFPro World XI, NWSL Champion, and 108-time United States Women’s National Team defender.

During her time in Happy Valley, Krieger secured four straight Big Ten Championships from 2003 to 2006. She made 94 appearances, scored 11 goals, earned All-American distinction at two different positions, and was named the 2006 Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year and 2003 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

The soccer star was elected as a Penn State Board of Trustee alumni member on May 5 alongside Jay Paterno and Anthony Lubrano. Much of her platform revolves around gender and LGBTQ+ equality and fair workplace conditions for Penn State students.