Kelli McGroarty signs with Essendon Royals in Australia

South Jersey native Kelli McGroarty is continuing her soccer career down under.

The Iowa and La Salle star has signed on with the Melbourne-based team Essendon Royals ahead of their 2026 campaign in the National Premier League Victoria.

“Kelli is an out-and-out goalscorer,” head coach Jaiden Van Der Heijden said in a news release. “She’s very, very good in the air. Her aerial ability for someone her size is second to none. We expect her to get on the end of a lot of crosses, score a lot of goals and be a nuisance in this league. We’re really excited about bringing Kelly down.”

McGroarty finished out her college career at Iowa after sitting out most of last season with an injury. She spent her first three seasons in college at La Salle. The former Eastern Regional High School and 1776 United FC star finished her college career with 27 goals and 12 assists across 87 games.