Legendary Wisconsin Badgers Soccer Player to Compete in Paris Olympics

Former Wisconsin Badgers women’s soccer standout Rose Lavelle has been selected to represent the U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer team in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France starting on July 26. Lavelle, who played for Wisconsin from 2013 to 2016, made an immediate impact in her freshman year, winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. She continued to excel throughout her college career, earning All-America honors in each of her final three seasons.

This will be the second Olympic appearance for the 29-year-old midfielder, who also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Tokyo, Lavelle played in all six games and scored a goal in the bronze medal match against Australia. During the 2024 NWSL season with Gotham FC, Lavelle has scored three goals in 10 games, including six starts, bringing her total goal tally in the league to 12 over seven seasons.

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer team, led by Lavelle, is aiming to secure their first Olympic gold medal since 2012, following a quarterfinal exit in 2016 and a third-place finish in 2021. Lavelle’s success at the collegiate and professional level has prepared her for this moment as she looks to help lead her team to victory in Paris.