2015 was a banner year for the University of San Francisco women's soccer team – a program-record 13 wins; tied for second, the best conference finish in team history; the first-ever wins over Santa Clara and BYU; numerous precedent-setting individual accolades – but the team's success this past season has also helped open doors for the senior class that helped make it all happen.
 
Five former Dons have either already embarked on their professional soccer careers or are preparing to soon. Goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel, defenders Halle Bissin and Sydnie Telson and midfielder Alex Alugas are making the once-in-a-lifetime transition from the Hilltop to locales far and wide in pursuit of the game they love.    
 
Schiffel, a first-team All-WCC selection and USF's single-season and career leader in wins (13/29) and shutouts (9/23), was the first to start her career at the next level after joining Norwegian club Avaldsnes IL in the first-tier Toppserien league. Schiffel joined the team in mid-February and the regular season, which runs until November, is in its fourth week with the club holding a 2-1 record at the running of this story. Schiffel, one of three keepers on the roster, has played every minute in goal through the first three contests.
 
Schiffel was drafted by the Washington Spirit in the fourth round of the National Women's Soccer League Draft back in January, but opted to purse the opportunity oversees after her agent connected her with the new head coach of Avaldsnes, Colin Bell, who had previously led the Women's Frankfurt FC to the most recent UEFA Champions League title.
 
"I am most excited about the possibilities," said Schiffel of extending her playing career overseas. "There are so many leagues around the world and I am open and excited to play anywhere. This journey has been so beautiful and to be in the position I am today, I do not take for granted. Outside of football, this opportunity has and will continue to provide me with the chance to meet new people and explore different cultures."
 
Bissin has also already begun her professional career, playing with Apollon Ladies FC in Limassol, Cyprus. Bissin began her trial period with the club in mid-March and will compete with the team until May 10. After a break, Bissin will re-join the squad at the beginning of July to start training for Champions League competition.
 
Bissin, a 2013 All-WCC honorable mention selection, took advantage of contacts through her former club coach with the Laguna Hills Eclipse Soccer Club, Neil Powell.
 
"I think my expectations are really simple," said Bissin. "Reach my peak mentally and physically as a player, experience new countries, and hope my body doesn't break down on me during the process. Right now, for this specific experience I'm extremely excited to be a part of this team's journey into the Champions League. We will be playing against top division European clubs with some of the top players in the world." 
 
Telson will be joining UMF Sindri in Hofn, Iceland at the beginning of May and will compete during the season that runs to September 1. Telson is finishing up her coursework early at USF before embarking on her pro endeavor.
 
"My expectations are just to get better, enjoy a new country and lifestyle and enjoy everything to the fullest," said Telson. "I am anxious and excited about going to a new place for quite some time and getting out of my comfort zone. I am excited about playing my sport in a new place with new people and enjoying this amazing opportunity and that my dreams are coming true."
 
Telson will get a head start but she won't be alone in Iceland as Alugas will be joining her on UMF Sindri.
 
Alugas, an All-WCC honorable mention honoree and former walk-on, will complete her degree in marketing before joining the team midseason the day after graduation on May 22.
 
Upon the completion of her senior season, Alugas began fielding professional offers through an agent, but the opportunity with UMF Sindri was appealing because it gave Alugas a chance to complete her degree before starting her pro career.
 
"It's been a dream of mine for a while now," said Alugas, "and to see it happen is amazing on how far you can push yourself if you want something. Also, I can't wait to see a new country and be immersed in it. I expect to be uncomfortable at times, to be pushed to new levels and to have a good time learning a new culture. I am also lucky Sydnie is coming with me to help out."
 
While not moving on to play in the professional ranks, former USF defender Leticia Torres is planning on training with a local club in Copenhagen, Denmark while she earns her Master's in math modeling and computation at Danish Technical University. Torres is hoping to stay in playing shape as she eyes a potential run at World Cup qualifiers with the Chilean National Team in 2018, with whom Torres earned four caps in the 2014 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
 
Piggybacking these individual opportunities on the success of the 2015 campaign is gradually helping transform the USF women's soccer program into what head coach Jim Millinder thinks will be a continued upward trend as he looks ahead at his fifth year at the helm this fall, fresh off a five-year contract extension inked this offseason.
 
"From year one to how far they've come, it's just kudos to them," said Millinder. "They've developed their games and made this program a lot better than when they arrived. It shows you the value of hard work. I think all the younger players see that and see how much hard work will get you to your ultimate goal of playing at the top level.
 
"And these girls love the game. If you don't love the game then it's not worth chasing, but it shows what they can accomplish if they set their minds on something and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for all of them."
 
For the players, it's a validation of their hard work over four years on the Hilltop, as well as a sense of trailblazing that they hope continues with Dons year after year.
 
"The culture has changed here drastically and it's amazing to see fellow teammates want to play at the highest levels," said Schiffel. "I look forward to seeing many more Dons in the pros."   
 
"Playing professionally is a rare experience for any sport, especially women's soccer," added Alugas, "so to have multiple players come out of a small school like USF tells a lot about our program and where it is headed in the future."
 
While the professional soccer route can certainly take some grit and determination in finding one's niche in the pro world, it's a challenge and opportunity that these former Dons are happy to take advantage of.   
 
"Having USF women's soccer players go onto play professional speaks miles about the program that Jim Millinder runs," said Bissin. "Women's professional soccer is obviously not going to pay the bills so you have to really love soccer to want to go on after college and play professionally. I think having players that still love the game after playing 4-5 years of college soccer shows not only what a great program Jim has built, but the type of players he brings in and produces." 
 
"It is amazing that a good amount of us are wanting to play professionally," said Telson. "It says a lot about our will and desire to continue to succeed and get better. We wouldn't be here without the amazing coaching staff helping us get to where we are today."