Jan 19, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

When Tessa Dellarose is asked what she does for a living, the Grindstone native and Brownsville Area High School graduate can proudly state … professional soccer player.

Dellarose, who graduated from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in December after a four-year career with the Tar Heels, signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Stars FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), which is the highest level of the United States soccer league system. The deal runs through the 2028 NWSL season.

The contract was signed after Dellarose played in her last collegiate match on Nov. 24 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I women’s soccer tournament.

“It really feels surreal and quite amazing,” Dellarose said. “I think playing professional soccer was more of a dream that became something tangible over the years. I think once I got to North Carolina, and being in that environment with a school that produced so many professional athletes, made it more real each year.”

The daughter of Melinda and Ron Dellarose scored 108 goals in three years at Brownsville before turning her attention to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds academy and youth national team as a senior.

Dellarose played in 89 matches at UNC, where she scored six goals and recorded 12 assists in 5,482 minutes. Unlike her high school career, Dellarose was used on defense and midfield for the Tar Heels. She was the team’s co-captain as a junior and senior, and helped lead UNC to a national championship in 2024. Dellarose was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Fourth Team following her junior year.

Dellarose had an up-and-down summer, as she wore the armband as the captain of the Pittsburgh Riveters of the pre-professional USL W League, but tore her left quadriceps tendon near the end of June, and spent roughly two months in rehabilitation. She didn’t have surgery, but physical therapy and rest were needed for her to return to the pitch.

Prior to the injury, Dellarose competed in The Soccer Tournament (TST) and helped lead the US Women to its second straight championship. Dellarose was named MVP of the TST in 2024.

Dellarose missed the entire preseason and five regular-season matches for UNC before making her comeback on Aug. 31. The Tar Heels weren’t able to repeat as champions, but Dellarose was able to help her squad make it to the third round of the NCAA tournament before falling to TCU in penalties.

“The injury was a little bit of a struggle, but I still had a good portion of the college season left,” Dellarose said. “We made it to the third round of the NCAA tournament, and that’s still a good accomplishment, but our goal was to win a national championship, so it was tough to fall short of that goal.

“Despite the injury, the summer was really fun. I got to return and play in Pittsburgh for the Riveters and it is such a good time and experience at TST. We were able to win the championship again, but due to TST being in the middle of our season, I won’t get to play in it this year. It may be a while before I can do that again, but I have to focus on helping my team.”

The Stars are one of the founding teams in the NWSL, which began play in 2009. Chicago had a tough season last year, but Dellarose is confident in her new squad.

“They have made multiple championship appearances in the past, but there were a lot of changes last year and several injuries,” Dellarose said. “The whole organization is committed to the team and they have great staff members.”

Dellarose will continue to wear No. 34 and play as a defensive midfielder. She has moved to Chicago, and after four years in North Carolina, she is still adjusting to “The Windy City.”

Defensive midfielders are just as essential in soccer as forwards, but they tend to be unsung heroes, as the objective of the position is to get the ball to their strikers and stop the opposition from advancing into the final third of the field.

Other than her three seasons with the Lady Falcons when she was needed to score, Dellarose has been a defensive midfielder for most of her career.

“As long as we win and play well, I really don’t care if I score,” Dellarose said. “Everyone has their role to play, and my coaches use me at the position I am most suitable for. I will be playing with and against some players I looked up to, and they are very talented, but I am excited for the challenge.”

The Stars begin training in about a week to prepare for their opener against Angel City FC on March 15 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. Chicago’s home opener is scheduled for March 22 against the Kansas City Current at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill., on the campus of Northwestern University.

“We do have an indoor training facility, so I am very excited for that,” Dellarose said. “I am looking forward to it getting warmer. The wind is what really makes it tough, but I will adjust.”

Dellarose is proud to represent her hometown, and hopes she can provide inspiration for younger players from the area.

“It means a lot to me for the next generation to have some representation from the area,” Dellarose said. “Those kids, especially the young girls, know that there is someone before you that was able to make it to the next level.”

Dellarose will look forward to keep climbing the ladder of success in soccer, but she will never forget those who encouraged her every step of the way.

“I want to thank my family for their unwavering support,” Dellarose said. “They have been there for me at the club, college and pro level. I have had amazing coaches and teammates. I couldn’t be more thankful for them and North Carolina.”