WSOC Adds Six Transfers For 2024 Campaign

First-year head coach Chris Allen has announced the addition of six transfers to the Marquette University women's soccer program for the 2024 campaign.

Brooke Bisko (Bethlehem, PA/Eckerd), Rielly Chesna (Chicago, IL/UNI/Long Island). Kiara Clarke (Palm Bay, FL/Arkansas State), Charlotte Huggard (Plymouth, MI/Purdue), Ella McAleenan (St. Louis, MO/Lindenwood) and Tess O'Connell (Wilmington, MA/Rhode Island) will arrive on campus this summer.

Marquette's 19 returning letterwinners will be joined by six freshmen and seven total transfers. Goalkeeper Elise Krone joined the team for the spring season after competing with TCU in 2023.

"Our staff is very pleased to welcome six transfers who will join us for the 2024 season," Allen said."Our objective in the May transfer window was to raise the overall athleticism profile of our team, stabilize our midfield spine, and shore up some defensive areas of need heading into the fall.

"We believe the addition of Brooke, Rielly, Kiara, Charlotte, Ella and Tess has helped accomplish that and look forward to them making an immediate impact," Allen added.

The Golden Eagles open their 2024 season at Colorado on Thursday, August 15.

2024 TRANSFERS

Brooke Bisko | Jr. | F/MF | 5-6 | Bethlehem, Pa. | Bethlehem Catholic/Eckerd College

Eckerd College (2022-23): Named Second Team All-Sunshine State Conference in 2023 … Concluded the year with six goals and nine assists, finishing second on the team in points (21) … Netted two game-winning goals for the Tritons … Started 17 of the team's 19 matches, helping squad to league semifinals … Played in 13 matches in 2022, finishing the season with a pair of assists.

High School: First team all-conference selection all four years at Bethlehem Catholic High School … Named to all-area team as a junior after finishing with 27 goals and 15 assists … Scored over 100 career goals in high school.

"We know Brooke very well, as she was coached by new assistant coach Tyler Moore these past two seasons at Eckerd College," Allen said.

"Brooke's explosive speed, dynamic ability on the ball, and courageousness on the dribble will be an exciting addition to our forward group. She has the dribbling ability to breakdown a backline and provide opportunities for herself and teammates to put the ball into the back of the net. Brooke's addition to the team makes us significantly more dangerous going forward."

Rielly Chesna | Jr. | D/F | 5-7 | Chicago, Ill. | Lyons Township/UNI/Long Island

Northern Iowa (2023): Played in a career-high 16 matches and made a career-high eight starts in her first season with UNI ... Also played a career-high 768 minutes ... Scored her first goal at the collegiate level in UNI's 9-0 victory against Viterbo on Aug. 19 ... Started six MVC matches.

Long Island (2022): Appeared in 15 matches with six starts ... Made her collegiate debut vs. NJIT on Aug. 18 ... Took five shot attempts on the season, with two on goal ... Played 641 total minutes ... NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll ... MVC Honor Roll after transferring to UNI in the spring of 2023.

High School: Graduate of Lyon Township High School ... Four-year "A" honor roll student ... Captained her team with 18 goals and team MVP honors as a freshman ... Helped Lyon Township to state finals in 2021 ... National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, student council and peer leadership member ... Also played volleyball in high school, and club soccer with the Lyons Township Soccer Club.

"In each of her previous stops, Rielly has proven to be a dependable defender with significant experience in the backline and she relishes the role and responsibility of taking on the toughest forward assignments and shutting those players down," Allen said.

"In addition to her defensive attributes, we are excited to provide Rielly freedom to get forward in possession and utilize her long throw in set piece situations. We believe Rielly's combination of athleticism, strength, and competitive mentality put her in position to make a significant impact."

Kiara Clarke | Fr. | MF | Palm Bay, Fla. | Palm Bay Magnet/Arkansas St

Arkansas State (2024): Enrolled at Arkansas State for the spring 2024 semester.

High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner at Palm Bay Magnet High School … Three-year team captain … First team all-conference honoree and was named team's most valuable player … Netted a hat trick in conference championship match … Also lettered in basketball and swimming … Competed on the ECNL circuit with Florida Kraze Krush and advanced to the national playoffs in 2022.

"I predict Kiara will soon become a fan favorite of the MU fan base due to her playing style, ambitious nature, and contagious smile," Allen said."Kiara will create havoc for our opponents on the flank. She is a shutdown outside back defender, with the skill set to also be one of the best attacking players on the field.

"In our system that prioritizes the influence of outside backs on our collective success, we believe Kiara is set to let her special shine up here in Milwaukee," Allen added.

Charlotte Huggard | So. | GK | 5-10 | Plymouth, Mich. | Plymouth/Purdue

Purdue (2023): Redshirted in 2023 … Enrolled early and trained with team during spring season.

High School: Competed at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the Girls Academy League since 2018 … Won a Michigan Junior State Cup Championship in 2016-17 … Participated in the 2022 Girls Academy Talent ID Mid-America Region event … Honor roll student each year.

"Given the lack of collegiate starting experience within our goalkeeping group, we believe Charlotte's overall athleticism, emotional temperament, significant range coverage in the 18, shot stopping ability and defensive organizational skills will put her in position to compete for a starting spot from day one," Allen said. "Charlotte has an incredibly high ceiling as a goalkeeper, and we are excited to work with her and help her reach her fullest potential."

Ella McAleenan | So. | D | 5-10 | St. Louis, Mo. | Nerinx Hall/Lindenwood

Lindenwood (2023): Appeared in 14 matches, earning three starting assignments … Started in her collegiate debut against Kansas City (8/17) … Played season-high 90 minutes at Morehead State (10/15).

High School: Attended Nerinx Hall ... First-team all-region, all-state and all-metro selections ... Class 4 Defensive Player of the Year ... All-state defender of the year ... Member of the All-Midwest Region Team ... Member of National Honor Society

"Ella was coached at Lindenwood by Jacqueline Baetz.She is a throwback type of defensive player, who all she wants to do is win balls in the air, throw herself into 50/50 tackles and score goals off set pieces. Ella fits our system like a glove, and she will have the opportunity to showcase her ability in our defensive midfield.

"Her mentality, athleticism, and willingness to battle will drive our competitive mindset going forward," Allen added."Ella is a cultural builder, on and off the field, and we are thrilled to watch her leave her legacy on this program over the next three years."

Tess O'Connell | Sr. MF | 5-11 | Wilmington, Mass. | Pingree School/Rhode Island

Rhode Island (2020-24): Four-year letterwinner at Rhode Island … Appeared in 66 career matches, earning 61 starting assignments … Served as team captain in 2024 … Netted first-career goal against Le Moyne (9/3/23) and collected first point as a junior against George Mason (10/16/22) … Named participant in the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association Senior Bowl.

High School: Attended Wilmington High School before finishing her junior and senior year at Pingree School … As a senior captain at Pingree, was named 2019 EIL Player of the Year, MVP, All-New England, All-State, All-NEPSAC, Salem News All-Star, and was named to both the Herald All-Scholastic Team and Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team … Scored nine goals and had six assists senior season and had eight goals and recorded three assists junior year … Member of the NEFC Elite U18 club team for four years and was captain for three straight years … Named EIL All-Star in 2018 … State Champion with NEFC Elite for three straight seasons (2017, 2018, 2019) … Won the National Cup in 2017 and 2019.

"I got to know Tess very well as she was a constant menace to the Saint Louis teams I coached when playing in the Atlantic 10 the past four years," Allen said."Tess has a unique and versatile skill set, where she has the athleticism and size to be a defensive monster in the defensive third, but also the finesse, explosive first touch and the technical ability to be a special playmaker in the attacking third. Tess will bring experience, athleticism, and an edge to our midfield group."

Keep up with the Marquette University women's soccer team through social media by following on X (@MarquetteWSOC) and Instagram (@MarquetteWSOC) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWSOC).

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