Gonzaga Women's Soccer Lands Washington State Transfer Kalia Franklin, Sister Ailani Also Joining

In a significant roster move for the Gonzaga University women's soccer program, dynamic forward Kalia Franklin has signed a financial aid agreement to transfer from Washington State University and will join the Zags for the 2026 season. The move becomes even more compelling with the addition of Franklin's sister, Ailani Franklin, who will be a freshman on the same roster, giving the siblings an opportunity to play college soccer together.

Franklin Brings Dynamic Attacking Edge from Hawaii

The 5-foot-4 forward from Hilo, Hawaii, earned her stripes as a standout player at Waiakea High School, where she led her program to three Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships and a state championship appearance during her senior year. As a senior, Franklin netted 15 goals and earned all-state honors along with selection to the BIIF All-League Team, showcasing the attacking prowess that caught Gonzaga's attention.

"It was a no brainer to add Kalia to the roster, especially with sisters getting the chance to play together," Gonzaga head coach said. "Her dynamic, attacking style of play elevates our group and brings an exciting edge to the attack."

After her impressive high school career, Franklin pursued competitive club soccer, playing for Surf Soccer Big Island before moving to Hawaii Surf Soccer Club on Oahu. Most recently, she competed for Crossfire Premier out of Seattle, where she was part of a 2022-23 ECNL Girls Northwest Academy team that finished atop the conference standings and reached the ECNL Round of 16, demonstrating elite-level play against some of the nation's best youth players.

Building on Washington State Experience

Franklin made the jump to college soccer at Washington State University, appearing once for the Cougars last season when she logged four minutes in a contest at San Diego on October 4. While her time in the Pac-12 proved brief, the experience of competing at the collegiate level adds valuable context to her development as a player.

The addition of Franklin to Gonzaga's women's soccer program represents the kind of recruiting success that builds championship contenders. With her proven goal-scoring ability, experience in elite club soccer, and familiarity with Pacific Northwest playing styles through Crossfire Premier, Franklin arrives ready to contribute immediately to the Bulldogs' attacking formation.

The sibling connection between Kalia and incoming freshman Ailani adds another dimension to this signing, as family units often thrive playing in the same program. With two-plus years before taking the field for Gonzaga, Franklin has time to fully integrate into the program's system and become a cornerstone piece of the Zags' offensive attack moving forward.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.