EASTON, Pa. - Kelly Chickering '16, knew that the time she spent playing and training with the Lafayette women's soccer program improved her skills each and every day, but even she could not have imagined it would lead to her playing professionally against such notable programs as Juventus and Manchester City.

That is exactly where the former All-Patriot League defender finds herself late in the summer of 2019 after making her debut on August 17 with FF Lugano of Women's Nationalliga A - the highest level league competition for women's football clubs in Switzerland.

"We've had a few friendlies in the past couple weeks against AC Milan and Juventus," Chickering wrote in an email to her former coaches. "Unfortunately we lost both games 1-0 but the team shows promise for this year."

Next up for the former captain of the Leopards is the UEFA Women's Champions League which begins play this week. Lugano will host Manchester City on Thursday in the Round of 32 and the two teams will reverse venues and meet again on September 26.

Chickering started 47 games for head coach Mick Statham and was twice recognized as the "Player's" Player of the Year by her peers. The coaching staff is not surprised that the Georgetown, Mass. native is experiencing continued success after excelling as an undersized center back in the Patriot League.

"Kelly has always had great talent. When we talked earlier in the year about playing abroad I thought it was well within her reach," head coach Mick Statham said. "She is now ready to line up in a Champions League game which is the elite of Europe. It's a fantastic achievement that she deserves a lot of credit for, but she is there on merit and will do very well."

The number of former players with ties to the Maroon & White who are playing in Europe grew again in early September as goalkeeper Kelly O'Brien has agreed to join Diósgyőri VTK in Hungary's top division. Chickering credits the Lafayette program for preparing Lafayette players for an international career.

"I've been thinking about Lafayette a lot while I'm dusting off my boots here in Lugano," Chickering wrote in the August email. "Just wanted to let you guys know I'm thinking of you and the Lafayette women's soccer family and thanks for being such dedicated coaches. It has certainly changed my life and opened doors I never thought existed."