Penn State women’s soccer had 17 alumni featured on National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) rosters for the opening day of the league’s 13th season.

From the 2024 roster, Katie Scott and Jordan Fusco are set to make their professional debuts. Scott, just 17 years old, joined the Kansas City Current in the offseason, while Fusco went cross-country to join the San Diego Wave.

Fusco drew 1-1 in her first match against Angel City FC but did not make an appearance. Scott was a little more fortunate in terms of teaming up with Penn Staters as Elizabeth Ball, Ellie Wheeler, and Raquel Rodriguez all are on the Currents’ books.

The Current won their first match 3-1 against the Portland Thorns. Ball, Wheeler, and Rodriguez all made appearances throughout the bench, while Scott made the bench. Ball and Wheeler teamed up on either flank, both positioned as fullbacks in a back four.

On the other side of the fixture were three more Nittany Lions. Sam Coffey, Payton Linnehan, and Morgan Messner all play for the Thorns. USWNT star Coffey started the match, and Linnehan came off the bench to make an impact.

Arguably the most notable of the Penn State women’s soccer alumni is USWNT legendary goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. She will continue with the Chicago Stars in 2025 for the last professional campaign of her career.

Joining Naeher in Chicago is third-year professional Ally Schlegel. Both started in their first match of the season in a tough loss to defending champions the Orlando Pride.

On the Pride, two Penn Staters make up the core of the defense. Kerry Abello is a regular starter on the back line for the Pride, while Cori Dyke works in the defensive midfielder role throughout the season. Both made impactful appearances in their season-opening rout of the Stars. Kat Asman is also on Orlando’s roster after making the switch from the Thorns this offseason.

The league runners-up in 2024 was the Washington Spirit, which is also the home of 2023 graduate Kate Wiesner. The defender did not make an appearance to start the season.

The final four Nittany Lions all play on different teams. They are Ellie Jean on Racing Louisville, Kaleigh Riehl on Salt Lake City, and Penelope Hocking on Bay FC.