FC Wisconsin x Professional Soccer = A Productive Match!

When Emma Jaskaniec was drafted by the Utah Royals this January, she became the 9th FC Wisconsin player to turn professional since 2015!  To have so many professionals from one small club in Wisconsin is an incredible credit to all of these players, and is an accomplishment matched by very few clubs in American soccer. 

Read about each player and their accomplishments in youth, collegiate and professional soccer as we celebrate these amazing players, their teammates, and the club. 

Emma Jaskaniec - Utah Royals, 2024

Jaskaniec became the clubs 8th NWSL player when she was selected in the 2nd round (26th overall pick) of the 2024 NWSL Draft by the Utah Royals. 

Jaskaniec had a standout college career at the University of Wisconsin. The 2022 Big 10 Midfielder of the Year, scored 37 career goals and was named an NCAA All-American in 2022 and NCAA All-Region in 2023. 

While at FC Wisconsin Jaskaniec was an ECNL All-American, and was named the 2017 Midwest Conference Player of the Year. 

Jordyn Bloomer - Racing Louisville, 2022-Present

Bloomer was the second goalkeeper selected in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and the 26th pick by Racing Louisville FC. Bloomer spent most of the 22-23 season on a successful loan with the Western Sydney Wanderers of the Australian A-League. Despite being injured for most of her second season in Louisville, Bloomer signed a long-term extension to her contract, demonstrating how highly the club regard her. 

At the University of Wisconsin, Bloomer was a 2-time Big10 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019 & 2020, as well as NCAA All-American in 2019.

While playing for FC Wisconsin, Bloomer was part of a squad that advanced to the ECNL North American Cup Finals in 2015, attended the ECNL National Training Camp in 2014, and was a member of the US Soccer U19 National Team pool in 2015. 

Jennifer Wandt - Trelleborgs FF - Damallsvenskan (Sweden) - 2022-2023

Wandt played a key role in two historic campaigns for Trelleborgs, making 28 appearances as the club achieved two consecutive promotions to the Swedish top division - one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. 

In college, Wandt was a 4-year starter during a highly successful era for Baylor University leading them to two Elite 8 appearances and 2 Big12 titles. Among a long list of accolades, Wandt is Baylor’s all-time leader in shutouts (31), was named Big 12 All-Conference 4 times, and was Big 12 player of the week 4 times. 

Wandt was part of an FC Wisconsin team that reached the final of the ECNL North American Cup in 2016, and attended the ECNL National Training Camp in 2015. Wandt is currently an Assistant Coach at Indiana University.

Elyse Bennett - San Diego Wave (KC Current, OL Reign) 2022-Present.

Bennett is the club's highest NWSL draft pick, taken as the 7th overall pick in 2022 by the Kansas City Current. Bennett played a significant role as Kansas City reached the NWSL Championship game in 2022. Bennett was traded to OL Reign for the 2023 season where again featured in a run to NWSL championship game. 

Prior to the NWSL, Bennett was a star player at Washington State University, finishing her career as an NCAA All-American, scoring 23 goals, and is second all-time in appearances for the Cougars, playing in 93 career games. 

Kate Del Fava - Utah Royals (KC Current) 2020-Present.

The 12th overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft, Del Fava made her professional debut for Utah during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Following a move to the Kansas City Current in 2021, Del Fava became an established NWSL player and a regular starter from 2021 to 2023. Del Fava scored a crucial overtime winner in the 2022 play-offs, as the Current made a run to the NWSL Championship game. In December 2023 Del Fava was traded to the Utah Royals and looks to begin her 5th NWSL season in 2024. 

Collegiately Del Fava will go down as one of the greatest players in the history of Illinois State University. Del Fava’s accolades are too many mention, including earning honors like a 2019 NCAA All-American, 2019 MVC Player of the Year, and 3x MVC All-Conference 1st Team. Del Fava was ranked 10th in NCAA D1 for goals in 2019, and is Illinois State’s all-time leader in minutes played. 

Dani Rhodes - Chicago Red Stars 2020-2021. 

Following her career at the University of Wisconsin, Rhodes signed with the Chicago Red Stars in 2020. Rhodes started her professional career strongly, however her debut season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rhodes went on to play the following season in Iceland with Prottur Reykjavik. 

At Wisconsin, Rhodes was an NCAA All-American and the Big 10 Forward of the Year in 2019, and was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist in 2018. Rhodes scored 38 in goals in 86 games for the Badgers.

Mary Luba - Chicago Red Stars 2015-2017. 

Luba was a part of the 2011 USYS National Championship winning side, and one of 3 members of that team to go on to play professional soccer. Luba signed for the Chicago Red Stars in 2015 and played for the club for two seasons. 

Luba played collegiately at Marquette university during one of the most successful periods in their history, winning 3 conference titles and advancing to the sweet sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament in 2012. Luba received multiple Big East Conference accolades, and was a member of the US U-23 National Team in 2014. 

Monica Gonyo - Chicago Red Stars 2015. 

Known to most as FC Wisconsin’s Executive Director, Gonyo also had a stellar playing career as a youth and professional player. Another part of the 2011 youth national championship winning team, Gonyo went to have a outstanding career at Loyola University where as a goalkeeper, she is the all-time leader in shutouts. 

Following Loyola, Gonyo played one season for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL before focusing on her career in coaching. 

Cara Walls - Chicago Red Stars 2015-2017

Walls became the club’s first player drafted in to the NWSL in 2015 when she was taken by the Chicago Red Stars with the 23rd overall pick. Walls scored 2 goals in 23 appearances for the Red Stars during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. 

Another member of the 2011 national championship team, Walls payed for the University of Wisconsin from 2011-2014, earned 1st team All-Big 10 Honors, and is currently the Badger’s second all-time leading goalscorer with 42 career goals.