DePaul University Athletics
Hometown Hero Ben selected by Chicago Red Stars in 2018 NWSL Draft
1/18/2018 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - DePaul's Alexa Ben made program history on Thursday as she became the third Blue Demon from the women's soccer program to be drafted to play in the National Women's Soccer League as the Chicago Red Stars selected her 37th overall in the 2018 draft.
"It's a surreal feeling to be drafted, especially by my hometown team," stated Ben. "I'm extremely excited to be able to stay local where my family has the opportunity to see me play. The moment I heard my name called my mouth dropped while all my friends around me were cheering and screaming with excitement. I'm really happy to start this next chapter in my soccer career with the Red Stars."
Ben joins former Blue Demons Julianne Sitch (2016, 32nd pick - Sky Blue FC) and Sarah Gorden (2017, 22nd pick - Chicago Red Stars) as the only other DePaul women's soccer athletes to be selected in women's professional soccer drafts.
"I am very proud of Alexa," said DePaul women's soccer head coach Erin Chastain. "She's very deserving of this opportunity. Her soccer IQ, technical ability, and mentality give her a wonderful chance to compete at this level."
A total of 40 collegiate players were picked over four rounds by the NWSL's 10 teams on Thursday's draft held at the United Soccer Coaches convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
As an integral part of the DePaul women's soccer team and its success in her four seasons as a Blue Demon, Ben has received almost every award possible during her career at DePaul. She was the BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year (2016), first-team All-Conference (2015, 2016), NSCAA All-Northeast Region (first team in 2016, second team in 2015, third team in 2014) and NSCAA All-American Third Team (2016), contributing to a BIG EAST tournament title in 2014 and regular-season title in 2016. She was also tabbed to the 2016 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-America Second Team, 2016 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-Region First Team, and 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District Second Team while being tabbed with BIG EAST All-Academic Team honors on three occasions.
Ben, a Schaumburg native, was a continual fighter for the Blue Demons as the 2017 Senior CLASS Award First Team selection scored on seven occasions, including a hat-trick in DePaul's 6-3 win against Villanova on Oct. 22. Ben also was named to the All-BIG EAST team for the fourth time in her career in 2017. She received First Team honors in 2015, 2016, and 2017 while being a Second Team selection in 2014. Ben, who was named the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year in 2016 and Rookie of the Year in 2014, is one of the most decorated Blue Demons in the women's soccer program history. She finished her career fourth in goals (27), second in assists (22) and third in points (76) for DePaul.
She currently carries a 3.721 grade point average and will graduate in June with public relations and advertising degree.
She's not going anywhere.@DePaulAthletics Alexa Ben is now with the Red Stars. pic.twitter.com/lvzF2yxQVF
- Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) January 18, 2018
