Michigan State senior defender Maddie Illig (32) takes a shot towards Indiana University at DeMartin Soccer Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
Recent Michigan State women’s soccer graduate Maggie Illig signed her first professional contract for Sporting Club Jacksonville. Sporting Jax competes in the USL Super League, one of two top division professional women’s soccer leagues in the U.S.
Illig will join fellow MSU grads Kaitlyn Parks and Meg Hughes, who both graduated in 2024, at the Florida club. Hughes shares the lead for most assists in the league, and Parks is in second place in terms of clean sheets as a keeper.
Illig closed out her collegiate career with 66 starts in 81 games, putting her in fifth place in the Spartans’ appearance record book. She started all 25 games at center back in her senior season. The defender scored six goals — three of which came in the 2025 season- and contributed five assists in her four years.
Illig was named All-American third team in her senior season, as well as earning two All-Region and All-Big Ten picks. She was also named Academic All-American second team in 2025.
She will join a roster packed with domestic and international talent to solidify the defense as Sporting Jax chases their first league title and looks to maintain their lead at the top.
Sporting Jax is competing in its first season in the USL Super League, finishing the first half of the season on top of the table with 25 points. They resume play on Jan. 31, giving Illig the opportunity to play in the seven games that remain in the season.
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