Alozie juggles the Houston Dash, the Nigerian national team and even cancer research
The Yale grad also helps conduct pediatric cancer research at Texas Children's Hospital.
Alozie's dual careers sprang from necessity because — in the days before the NWSL adopted its first collective-bargaining agreement in 2022 — she was uncertain whether she could earn a livable wage in soccer.
'I remember telling my boss that football was my main priority, and I just needed kind of like something on the side to make sure that, if needed, my resume was still there, I'm still in the medical field and I'm ready if my football life doesn't pan out," she said.
The child of Nigerian immigrants, Alozie originally played at Yale, where she graduated with a degree in molecular biology, but finished her career with Tennessee. After going undrafted, she played in Kazakhstan for a year before trying out for the Dash in 2021.
Around that time she also got a call from Randy Waldrum, Nigeria's American coach, who was scrambling to find eligible players after the Super Falcons arrived in the United States for a game without a full squad because of visa issues.
'I think it was since I was in college that I wanted to play for the Super Falcons, but I didn't really know how to get on their radar," Alozie said. "So for it to happen this way, and for me to play my first professional football game on a national team as opposed to the club side, it was just kind of crazy.'
She went on to play under Waldrum in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16 before falling on penalties to England after a hard-fought scoreless draw. Alozie grabbed attention during the match when England's Lauren James stepped on her, drawing a red card.
Alozie also played for Nigeria at last summer's Olympics in France, adding Olympian to a growing collection of honors.
Then this summer she helped Nigeria win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons had dubbed their bid for a 10th African championship 'Mission X'
A versatile defender, Alozie had one of the most memorable goals of the tournament. She sent a long ball forward from distance and it bounced into the goal in stoppage time to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over South Africa, putting the Super Falcons in the championship match. Nigeria went on to defeat host Morocco 3-2 for the title.
The victory came despite the persistent allegations of mismanagement of the women's program that have dated back years, and the lack of opportunities for the players to train together as a group.
Alozie understands how important global visibility is for the growth of the game in Africa. She pointed to fellow Nigerian players Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade, as well as Zambian Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga of Malawi, all of whom play on high-profile club teams.
"All these people coming out of Africa that people were probably sleeping on before, and then they come to the big stage and they're scoring hat tricks at the Olympics, they're breaking records in the NWSL or the WSL," she said. "I think the world is definitely waking up to women's football in Africa.'
Back home in the United States, Alozie works several days a week at Texas Children's Hospital in addition to playing for the Dash.
Her supervisor, Dr. Alexandra Stevens, said she didn't know when Alozie applied that she was also a pro athlete. Alozie asked if she could contribute as a researcher while continuing her soccer career, and the hospital agreed.
Alozie's immediate focus is on the second half of the season with the Dash, who are in a rebuilding phase after finishing at the bottom of the NWSL last year. Under new coach Fabrice Gautrat, the team has made modest gains.
'The playoff push is still there, we're still very much focused on that. We see the changes being implemented in our culture and how we want to play in the overall identity of the Houston Dash being built,' Alozie said. 'So that is something super positive, not only for right now, but for the future.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
8/12 Gamethread: Giants vs. Padres
The San Francisco Giants continue this three-game series against the San Diego Padres tonight from Oracle Park. Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters tonight's game with a 2.85 ERA, 3.69 FIP, with 148 strikeouts to 55 walks in 142 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants' 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday, in which he allowed two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in six innings. He'll be facing off against Padres left-hander Nestor Cortes, making his third start of the year, only his second with the Padres. He enters tonight's game with a 7.11 ERA, 10.37 FIP, with 11 strikeouts to 10 walks in 12.2 innings pitched between the Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers. His last start was in the Padres' 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, in which he allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks in four and two thirds innings. Game #120 Who: San Francisco Giants (59-60) vs. San Diego Padres (67-52) Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California When: 6:45 p.m. PT Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area National broadcast: n/a Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum criticizes Ohio State ranking in preseason poll
During an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up" Tuesday morning, college football analyst Paul Finebaum shared his biggest takeaway from the season's first AP Top 25 poll. His opinion was clear. Alabama is being underrated, and Ohio State is getting far too much credit. 'Don't be too shocked by this, Greeny, but Ohio State is too high. And, Heather, calm down, Alabama is too low,' Finebaum said. Ranked No. 8, Alabama sits lower than many expected, a placement Finebaum finds puzzling. He believes the Crimson Tide are legitimate College Football Playoff national championship contenders, especially following the announcement that Ty Simpson will be the starting quarterback this season. Simpson, now in his fourth year with the program, has served as the backup the past two seasons but has yet to start a game. That will change this fall. 'I really think Alabama is a serious national championship contender,' Finebaum emphasized. In contrast, Finebaum believes Ohio State, ranked No. 3, is being overhyped. He argued the Buckeyes are benefiting too much from last season's national championship and not being judged based on the current roster. 'I don't get Ohio State at all, Greeny. I know they won the national championship last year, but that has nothing to do with it,' Finebaum said. 'They don't have the same team, and that national championship hangover is going to catch up with them.' Finebaum went a step further and predicted that Ohio State's high ranking would be short-lived. He expects an early-season loss to top-ranked Texas. 'We'll see that in about two and a half weeks when Texas goes up there and walks out of that stadium a winner,' he added. ESPN's Heather Dinich agreed with Finebaum's assessment. 'He's right that Ohio State has a lot of questions and they're too high,' Dinich said. With the college football season just around the corner, Finebaum believes the AP Poll is already missing the mark on two of the sport's biggest programs. This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: College Football analyst Paul Finebaum throws shade at Ohio State
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pete Alonso passes Darryl Strawberry for most home runs in Mets history, then hits another one
The New York Mets have a new home run king. Pete Alonso hit a two-run blast off Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider on Tuesday, extending New York's lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third inning. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The home run was the 253rd of Alonso's career, moving him past a tie with franchise great Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. Alonso broke the record in front of an appreciative Citi Field home crowd that celebrated the achievement with a standing ovation. Then he hit another one in the sixth inning. The solo shot off of reliever Austin Cox extended New York's lead again, this time to 11-5. It also extended his new Mets record to 254 home runs. His second home run of the night again sent Citi Field into a frenzy. Strawberry went on to tally 335 home runs in a career that also included stints with the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. But his 252 with the Mets previously stood as the franchise record. Alonso, 30, re-signed with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract in the offseason and will presumably have plenty of opportunities to add to his now-franchise-record home run tally. Alonso led the NL with 53 home runs in his rookie campaign in 2019. In the years since then, he has remained one of baseball's premier sluggers, with 34-plus home runs in each season that wasn't shortened by COVID-19. Tuesday's home runs was Alonso's 27th and 28th of the season in his 118th game, putting him well on pace to eclipse 30 home runs again, with 43 games remaining on New York's schedule. The Mets will need all they can get from Alonso as they fight for a spot in the playoffs. The Mets entered Tuesday's game amid a seven-game losing streak and having lost 11 of their previous 12. The slump dropped them to 63-55, six games behind the first-place Phillies in the NL East. That said, they remain in control of their playoff path, with a two-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final wild-card berth in the National League.
