FGCU

College soccer: Former FGCU, Gulf Coast star Ali Rogers signs with KKPK Medyk Konin

Naples Daily News staff
FGCU's Ali Rogers, right, and Lipscomb's Jade Abarca fight for possession of the ball in the second half of action in the ASUN Championship Final at the FGCU Soccer Complex Sunday, November 6, 2016 in Estero. FGCU would defeat Lipscomb 2-0 clinching an NCAA tournament berth.

Former Florida Gulf Coast University and Gulf Coast High School standout Ali Rogers has signed a professional soccer contract with KKPK Medyk Konin in the Polish First Division (Ekstraliga).

Rogers arrived in Poland late last week and has started training with the first team.

"Playing for (coach) Jim (Blankenship) and the FGCU women's soccer program was the biggest blessing of my life thus far," Rogers said in a release. "Words can't describe how thankful I am for everyone who has coached me, advised me, trained me, and played with me to make me the player I am today and more importantly, the person I have grown to become. I have the best memories on that soccer field that I will forever cherish."

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Rogers was a member of five Atlantic Sun regular-season championships, four ASUN tournament titles, and four NCAA tournament appearances including the Eagles' historic 2-1 victory over USF in 2015 -- the program's first NCAA tournament victory.

She joins Shannen Wacker, Julia Roddar, and another member of KKPK Medyk Konin, Emily Dolan.

"I couldn't be more proud of Ali and everything she has accomplished," said Blankenship who has overseen the development of four professional players while at FGCU. "She was a tremendous asset to this program and raised the standard every time she stepped on to the field -- both during a game and in training. This is a fantastic opportunity for her and we're very excited to see what she does from here."

Rogers overcame an injury-shortened freshman season and another difficult sophomore year to become one of FGCU's best midfielders, highlighted by multiple awards her senior season. She had two starts in 19 appearances in two injury-plagued seasons, but she started 21 matches in 2014 and 18 in 2015.

Rogers scored twice in her final home game, leading the Eagles over Lipscomb for the Atlantic Sun tournament title and a third straight trip to the NCAA tournament. As a senior, she was named NSCAA Third Team All-Southeast Region, the ASUN Tournament MVP, and was first-team all-conference.