When former women’s soccer midfielder Eli Beard graduated, she wrote “professional soccer player” as her post-graduation plans on a sign in the Al McGuire Center.
Now those plans are far more official than a piece of paper in the intercollegiate athletics offices. Beard signed last week with BIIK Kazygurt, a soccer team in Kazakhstan competing in the Champions League.
Beard is coming off a productive senior season in 2017. She had a career-best four goals, four assists and 21 shots on goal while starting all 20 games in the midfield.
Morgan Proffitt, Beard’s teammate for three seasons at Marquette, requested to be released from the Washington Spirit to pursue overseas opportunities.