Diana Ordóñez: The NWSL Rookie on the Quest for the Golden Boot
Diana Ordóñez is making a name for herself in the NWSL.
A former standout striker at the University of Virginia, the Texas native knew she wanted to play soccer from a young age. She pursued her dream with support from her family and faith and is now a vital piece of the North Carolina Courage’s attack. Let’s explore this striker’s history as she gains in the NWSL Rookie of the Year race and contends for the 2022 Golden Boot.
University of Virginia
Freshman Year
As a freshman with the Cavaliers, Diana Ordóñez wasted no time getting her name on the scoresheet. She led the ACC in goals in 2019 and was awarded the Offensive Player of the Week award multiple times. Her multiple game-winning assists and goals made her a standout in the conference. She tallied 34 points and 15 goals to lead her team.
Sophomore Year
Ordóñez’s sophomore year only grew the accolades, including All-Region first-team selection, All-Tournament Team at the ACC Championship, and a team-high of 29 points and 12 goals.
Junior Year
Ordóñez solidified her prolific UVA legacy in the 2021 season. She started all 23 games her junior year and was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and All-American by United Soccer Coaches. Ordóñez also ranked nationally in game-winning goals and was the ACC leader in goals (18), goals per game (0.78), points (39), and points per game (1.70).
Overall, Ordóñez scored 45 goals during her three-year career with UVA. That feat tied her for the third-most goals in UVA history.
After her junior year, she decided to enter the NWSL draft. She was selected sixth in the overall 2022 NWSL draft, starting her career as a professional soccer player with the North Carolina Courage.
North Carolina Courage
On March 19, 2022, Ordóñez debuted her professional career as a second-half substitute against NJ/NY Gotham. She eventually scored her first professional goal in the Challenge Cup, which the Courage went on to win.
She has since appeared in vital late-game moments for the team. She scored five goals in the month of August, including two braces.
In addition, in August 2022, Ordóñez was named the NWSL Rookie of the Month for her outstanding offensive performances.
Mexican Women National Team
In addition to her successful U.S. career, Diana Ordóñez represented Mexico with the Mexican Women’s National Team for the W Concacaf qualifiers. Ordoñez’s mother is from Mexico, and her father is from Ecuador.
Her debut with the Mexican Women’s National Team was on April 9, 2022.
Golden Boot Contender
The NWSL rookie tied Sophia Smith’s NWSL rookie scoring record with her seventh goal of the season against the Portland Thorns.
Ordóñez is racing forward in the Golden Boot race, sitting just behind Alex Morgan (12) and Smith (11).
So, look out for this powerhouse striker: if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that Diana Ordóñez knows how to get results on the pitch.
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