(Photo courtesy goredbirds.com)
By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – Illinois State soccer forward Rachel Tejada heard her name called on draft day for the National Women’s Soccer League and she won’t have to travel far to play at the next level. The Chicago Red Stars selected Tejada in the fourth round with the 32nd pick.
Tejada becomes the first Redbird to be drafted in the NWSL
Tejada led the Redbirds to a program record 16 wins and a trip to the NCAA Tournament second round in 2014. The senior netted Missouri Valley Conference highs in goals (20), assists (11) and points (51). During the season she broke the conference records for goals and assists and finishes her career with 74 goals, 42 assists and 190 points.
Her 190 points rank 25th all-time among Division I players and she finishes her career as the active leader in points and goals among Division I players. Tejada was also named MVC Player of the Year and All-MVC First Team for the fourth-consecutive season.
This season, Tejada ranked third in the nation in both goals and points and was ranked 23rd nationally in assists. In the classroom, she has compiled a 3.41 grade point average in biological sciences.